More than 550 delegates from 116 countries have converged in Nairobi for a two-day conference that will chart the future strategy of the postal sector in a fast changing world.

The 2010 UPU Nairobi Postal Strategy, whose theme is From Nairobi to Doha, shaping the postal world’s future,  kicked off today at the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).
In his keynote address, Kenya’s Vice President Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka said the global postal business environment has experienced rapid changes over the past 10 years mainly due to sector liberalization and the advent of ICTs. As a result, many players have entered the postal market, thrusting many entities that previously enjoyed monopoly into unfamiliar territory. 

The vice president advised postal operators to take up the opportunities presented by the new technologies as well as the changed customer needs to focus their business. He cautioned that only those who would embrace change to suit the changing time would thrive and prosper.
“The post has an advantage of having vast network and should use this to ensure they provide services that meet customer’s needs and expectations at all times,” said the vice president.

He noted that the new constitution for Kenya has come with frameworks that will facilitate greater growth for the Kenyan businesses and industries while at the same time opening more opportunities for multinationals wishing to invest in Kenya.

The vice president further noted that Kenya recognizes the key role of the post and has identified it as a major player towards the realization of Vision 2030 development goals. 
He said Kenya was honoured for having been given Kenya the mandate to host the conference, the first of its kind on the African soil. He also thanked the UPU membership for according Kenya an opportunity to chair the Council of Administration.

Other dignitaries who graced the official opening of the Conference included Information and Communications Minister Samuel Poghisio and his Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo. The UPU Director General Edouard Dayan, CCK Board Chairman Hon. Eng. Philip O. Okundi, CCK Director-General Charles J.K. Njoroge and PCK Postmaster General, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Ali Hussein also attended the meeting.