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For the 3rd issue of postage stamps for the year 2007, the Mauritius Post Ltd is issuing one stamp to mark the holding of 24th UPU Congress in Nairobi in 2008. It is the second time that the UPU congress is being held in Africa. The first one was in Egypt in 1934.
Stamp Design
The stamp features the following:-
1.A computer screen to show the prominent role IT plays in the Postal Services.
2.A globe which symbolizes the universal dimension of the Post Office.
3.A map of Africa with Kenya highlighted with its national flag.
4.A map of Mauritius showing a Postman performing physical delivery.
Stamp subject matter
UPU and Congress
Universal Postal Union was established in 1874 and its Headquarters is based in Berne (Switzerland).
UPU is a specialized agency of United Nations and has 191 member countries.
Its objective is to develop social, cultural and commercial communication between people through the efficient operation of the postal service. UPU is an inter-governmental institution and plays an important leadership role in promoting Postal Services. It defines the rules and regulations for Postal Administrations to adhere to, in a single market territory concept.
The UPU Congress is the supreme authority of the Union, bringing together plenipotentiaries of all member countries. It now meets every four years instead of five, following decision taken at the Bucharest Congress in 2004.
Postal Network
With more than five million employees in some 660,000 Post Offices and mail centres to process and deliver 430 billion mail items each year, the Postal network is the largest physical network in the world. It reaches millions of people, in the remotest corners of the world. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) is deep enshrined in the UPU mission.
Postal Sector in the Information Society
The stamp depicts the integration of the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) into the Postal Services. The Posts have reacted positively to changes in the business environment and are making judicious use of the new technologies to bridge the digital divide between the developed and developing countries and among the communities.
Postal services will play a very crucial role in promoting the interconnection of the physical, electronic and financial networks worldwide under a single postal platform.
The First Day Cover illustration
The FDC depicts a logo of the 24th UPU Congress. The round shape represents the globe and the universality of the post.
At its centre, a flying pigeon carries an envelope in its beak, a familiar symbol of mail conveyance worldwide. Black, white, red and green stripes, Kenyan national colours, complete the bottom semi-circle of the logo supporting the national snow-capped landmark, Mount Kenya and a line silhouette head image of Africa’s king of the jungle, the lion.
Cancellation Cachet
A cachet comprising of the above logo has been specially designed for cancellation of FDC only.
Designer: Nurveen Ratty(Graphic Designer, Mauritius Post Ltd)
Printer: Lowe Martin, Canada
Size: 35 x 48 mm
Perforation : 13 x 2cms
Gum : PVA
Paper : CA Spiral Watermarked
Sheet format : 50 stamps set in two panes of 25
Release date :9 October 2007
Acknowledgements:
Mr. Giandev Moteea, Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Post Ltd
Mr. Giandeo Bissessur, Head of Postal Operations, Mauritius Post Ltd
Mr. Iswarnath Govind, Officer in Charge, Mauritius Postal Museum
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