IOM and the Forum for Postal Service Research and Development in
Africa are organizing a forum on how national and international
Postal Services can maximize the development impact of remittances
in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).



The meeting, which will take place in Geneva on 6 July during the
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) session, will
bring together representatives from IOM, the Universal Postal Union
(UPU), postal services from developed and developing countries and
African migrants from France and Switzerland.



“With more than 650,000 outlets worldwide, the postal network
is well positioned to provide the world's growing migrant
population with access to secure, effective and affordable money
transfer services,” says UPU Director General, Edouard Dayan.
“Many UPU members already offer some form of electronic money
transfer. With IOM’s support, we wish to expand this service
to encourage migrants to remit through postal networks so their
money can effectively contribute to the economic and social
development of LDCs.”



UPU’s International Financial System allows for the rapid and
secure transfer of money orders and inter-bank transfer over a
private, secure network, which eliminates many problems associated
with paper-based money orders.



Over USD 3 trillion is deposited in postal banks and in other
postal financial institutions worldwide, covering over 700 million
account holders.



UPU, a UN specialized agency, was granted observer status during
the 91st special session of the IOM Council.



A press conference will be held between 1500 and 15.50 on Thursday
6th July in Salle de Presse 3, Palais des Nations, Geneva, with Mr.
El Hadj Gley, Président Directeur Général de
l’Office National des Postes Tunisiennes, Mr. Jean-Luc
Demierre, Responsable des relations postales internationales, la
Poste Suisse and Mme. Ndioro Ndiaye, Deputy Director General, IOM.