“With more than 600,000 offices across the globe, the postal sector is one of the world’s largest logistical networks and a vital center of community life everywhere,” he said in a message marking the World Post Day that falls on October 9.

This year’s observance of World Post Day highlights the sector’s value not just for delivering the mail, but for delivering good.

Guterres said resilient postal systems offer support during natural disasters, financial services to hundreds of millions of people; and essential information in times of crises.

The network of postal sector, through its international treaties and emphasis on universal service, is a constant voice for multilateralism and force for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said.  

“It also promotes literacy and education for children,” said the UN chief in his message.

World Post Day is celebrated each year on October 9, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. 

It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. 

The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.

In 2015 countries all over the world committed themselves to working together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end extreme poverty and hunger, fight inequality and injustice, and take action to reverse climate change--to name just some of these 17 agreed new Goals. 

Playing its part in this global effort, the Post today has a more relevant role than ever by providing infrastructure for development, according to the UN.