Qatar, the chair of
the UPU’s Council of Administration, has named Faleh Mohammad Al-Naemi as its
new representative.
Faleh Mohammad
Al-Naemi (l.) meets UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein in Berne
Currently CEO of
QPost, the Qatari postal operator, Al-Naemi was recently in Berne for his first
visit to the International Bureau.
“I am very much
looking forward to accompanying and guiding UPU member states in their
deliberations and activities to help the postal sector evolve, react better to
customer demands and meet the expectations of all stakeholders,” Al-Naemi said.
A former assistant
secretary general at Qatar’s ministry of communications and technology,
Al-Naemi has a long and varied career behind him, covering human resources,
accounting and digital inclusion, especially of disabled people. He became
QPost’s chief executive in late 2014.
“Qatar has always been
very supportive of the UPU and believes firmly in the value of this august
institution,” Al-Naemi said.
Technology crucial
Al-Naemi underlined
that these are interesting times for the UPU and the Post. With the postal
sector gaining in importance as a delivery partner for companies across the
globe, governments are facing real prospects for boosting national economic growth
and social development.
“The fast-evolving
economy and e-commerce boom are game-changers, which the postal sector should
exploit fully for the opportunities it offers,” he said.
Posts could gain a
competitive edge by increasing their use of technology, Al-Naemi explained,
embedding digital solutions that are already available. This would ensure the
supply chain is better integrated.
“Technology is a means
to an end and we should fully utilize them to ensure Posts are more relevant
than ever,” he emphasized. “This will result in increased customer confidence
in postal services,” he added.
Inclusion
It is also important
to ensure that people anywhere in the world have access to postal services of a
high standard, according to Al-Naemi. “The inclusion of all members of society
should be a key concern for all governments and the public postal network can
contribute substantially to achieving this goal,” he said.
Al-Naemi takes up his
new role during a year, where the UPU’s future strategy will take firmer shape.
From 13-14 April, member states and other stakeholders from the postal world
and international organizations will meet at the UPU World Strategy Conference
in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the event,
achievements during this work cycle to date will be under the spotlight.
Discussions will also focus on the changing communications landscape and
customer requirements.
The Council of
Administration is composed of 41 member states and oversees the work of the UPU
between Universal Postal Congresses. Held every four years, Congress is the
supreme authority of the Union.
