Four bodies and a Congress every four years: the Universal Postal Union

Background

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established in 1874 and has its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne.
The organisation describes itself as the second oldest international organization worldwide.
It has 192 member countries and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.
It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations on mail, parcel and financial services.
Any member country of the United Nations can become a member of the UPU; a country outside the United Nations needs the approval of at least two-thirds of UPU member countries.
The UPU consists of 4 bodies: the Congress, the Council of Administration, the Postal Operations Council and the International Bureau.
The Congress is the supreme authority of the UPU and meets every four years, while the Council of Administration ensures the continuity of the work between Congresses.
The Postal Operations Council consists of 48 member countries elected during Congress, and the International Bureau fulfils the secretariat function.