The history of humanity is full of quests to find the means for communicating as an indispensable part of daily routines. The postal service has a long history, spanning from dogsleds used as a means of communication between Canada and Alaska and camels used in Australia until the construction of railways in 1929 to the invention of drones that are the products of the latest technology. The invention of writing played a great part in the development of communications as people sought ways to send what they wrote to each other. Today, the instruments of electrical communication, which have made great progress since the invention of the telephone, have become an indispensable part of everyday life.
Founded by the United Nations in Bern in 1974, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) aims to bring global-scale development to the postal sector through congresses held every four years. This year, the 26th edition of the 18-day Universal Postal Congress is being held in Istanbul with the participation of nearly 2,500 delegations from 192 countries. Undersecretary of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry Suat Hayri Aka is the honorary president of the congress and Post and Telegraph Organization (PTT) General Manager Kenan Bozgeyik is presiding over the congress. Having 175 years of experience in the postal sector, the PTT has a great pioneering role in the congress.The congress addresses rules to be applied in the global postal sector in the next four years. The event will greatly contribute to Turkey's prestige and bring economic value to the country.
Daily Sabah: What are the final goals and strategies of this congress?
Kenan Bozgeyik: Innovation, integration and inclusiveness. A reform package for the world postal sector is discussed in our congress. We provide all support and competence as the host in terms of change and transformation.
Our congress is held without using any paper. Serving as the first environmentally friendly congress, for the first time it is being organized using high-tech equipment; thus, creating a joint line with Istanbul, all transactions and communications with the world postal center in Bern are run in a paper-free/digital environment.
D.S.: Can you tell us about your role in the sector?
K.B.: Although paper and telegrams, were historically the sector's most critical items, due to technology, the electronic environment is most preferred now, and the number of letters drops by 10 percent each year.
Two main points shaping the sector are cargo and e-commerce. Therefore, Turkey established its own postal shopping mall with 2,000 manufacturing firms and over two million goods and services in the digital environment where sales are made to the whole world with our cargo company by reaching customers in an easier and cheaper way.
Aside from electronics and banking sectors, the PTT's 252 service items can be collected under three main groups, namely postal, electronics services and banking sector. The PTT also puts encrypted letters into action for individuals and corporate customers.
D.S.: How does the future shape the telecommunications sector?
Through a cargomatics system, you receive a message informing you of the location of your cargo. In addition, an infrastructure project is underway for cargo deliveries after working hours.
Drones can also transfer a product in the shortest time for demanding customers. As a globalization step, we aim to develop alongside our private national companies by expanding our infrastructure. Operating in 1,500 offices with 40,000 employees, the PTT also collaborates with international companies. We aim to operate our companies in a profitable, productive and infrastructure-efficient way.
