Doha: The Universal Postal Union (UPU) Regional Workshop on Operational Efficiency and E-Commerce Development (ORE3) was convened in Doha. The event was hosted by the UPU Regional Office in collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post), as part of the plan to execute the ORE Project, as listed in the UPU Regional Development Plan 2022-2025.
According to Qatar News Agency, the workshop served as a platform for reinforcing regional cooperation and sharing expertise in readiness for e-commerce, postal innovation, and risk management mechanisms, with participation from representatives of postal sectors in the Arab nations. Discussions centered on breakthroughs in executing the ORE Project and novel methods to optimize operational and postal risk management mechanisms in national postal enterprises.
The workshop was structured around two key themes: fostering capabilities among relevant operators to support e-commerce systems and advancing robust risk management frameworks. These frameworks aim to ensure business continuity and provide reliable postal services capable of addressing challenges. Advanced topics were addressed, including assessing the impact of ORE on postal service performance, integrating digital and financial systems for cross-border operations, and improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms using UPU tools like the Global Monitoring System and the Integrated Quality of Service Reporting System.
Furthermore, the workshop, held ahead of the upcoming UPU strategy cycle (2026-2029), is considered a concluding step in the ORE Project by UPU to support member countries in enhancing their operational and digital infrastructure. The project focused on improving operational efficiency in postal supply chains, streamlining customs clearance, and reinforcing collaboration between postal, customs, and logistical entities to ensure prompt, secure, and reliable services.
The final workshop acted as a springboard for a new project, reviewing outcomes achieved and lessons learned, pending the setup of a new regional action plan for the upcoming cycle. This initiative aims to enhance postal and digital integration, supporting the postal sector's pivotal role in developing e-commerce and the digital economy in the Arab region.