1999 Universal Postal Union

1999 Universal Postal Union
125th Anniversary

The UPU is the organization that sets the rules for the free flow of mail between countries. For 125 years the Universal Postal Union (UPU) has worked to connect every person, regardless of nationality, through a safe, efficient, and orderly mail system.

The UPU was formed on November 9, 1847, when 22 countries formed the General Postal Union. In 1878, the name Universal Postal Union was adopted. The UPU follows the provisions of the 1874 Universal Postal Convention, which specifies the types of correspondence that can be sent internationally. In 1948, the UPU became a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its headquarters are located in Berne, the capital of Switzerland.

The S 6.50 stamp illustrates the most modern methods of moving the mail.