Voice Mail

UPU - Voice Mail

Voice Mail is the official podcast of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

  1. 24/11/2025

    Ep 38: UNDP's Robert Opp on the future of digital inclusion

    In this episode of VoiceMail, we speak with Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer and Director of Digital, AI and Innovation at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), about the future of digital transformation and why its success depends on placing people, not technology, at the center. Drawing on UNDP’s work in 170 countries, Opp explains how digital systems can accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, but also how they can deepen exclusion when rights, governance and access are not addressed from the start. From the global digital divide to the need for secure digital identity and payments, he highlights the core building blocks countries must put in place to make digital services truly accessible. We also explore the unique power of the postal network, with more than 650,000 post offices worldwide, and how initiatives like the UPU’s connect.post can help ensure that even the most remote communities are not left behind in the digital age. Opp shares insights on UNDP’s AI work in Africa, the importance of data governance, and why this moment represents a critical inflection point: AI can supercharge societies, but only if the benefits are shared globally.

    24 min

  2. 30/10/2025

    Ep 37: CTT’s journey from tradition to transformation

    As mail volumes decline and e-commerce reshapes delivery, Portugal’s national postal operator has turned transformation into an opportunity. In this episode of VoiceMail, João Bento, CEO of CTT – Correios de Portugal, reflects on how one of the world’s oldest postal institutions continues to reinvent itself while staying true to its public-service mission.  Drawing on his background in engineering and systems design, Bento explains how a culture of problem-solving and precision helped guide CTT through a deep modernization journey. From rethinking its nationwide network as a platform for services to building in-house engineering capacity, CTT has blended agility with tradition to meet the needs of a digital economy.  Bento also shares his belief that while technology changes systems, people sustain culture, and that the postal sector’s enduring purpose lies in connecting citizens and businesses in tangible ways, no matter how digitized the world becomes.

    23 min

  3. 25/08/2025

    Ep 36: Building the future of the postal sector one Congress at a time

    The 28th Universal Postal Congress will bring together 192 member countries to decide the future direction of the global postal sector. In this episode of Voice Mail, Siva Somasundram, Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets at the UPU, offers a clear look at how the highest decision-making body of the UPU is being prepared, from shaping the agenda and proposals to supporting member states in the lead-up to key decisions.   As a plenipotentiary meeting, Congress plays a vital role in defining the UPU’s strategic direction, regulatory framework, and development priorities for the next four years. Somasundram explains what it takes to coordinate this process, from managing the flow of proposals submitted by member countries to organizing outreach that ensures informed and active participation.   This is an inside view of how global postal policy is negotiated, decided, and translated into action for the years ahead.

    34 min

  4. 15/08/2025

    Ep 35: Tariq Al Wahedi, 7X Group CEO, on hosting the Universal Postal Congress

    In this episode of Voice Mail, we explore what it means to host and prepare to chair the 28th Universal Postal Congress through the perspective of Tariq Al Wahedi, 7X Group Chief Executive Officer and Chair-designate for the upcoming event. He reflects on the opportunities for collaboration and exchange that Congress can enable, and why this moment matters for the future of the postal sector. From informal networking to formal decision-making, Al Wahedi underscores the importance of bringing member countries together to engage directly on shared priorities and challenges. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at Congress planning from a host perspective, and insight into how leadership and coordination come together in a multilateral setting.

    14 min

  5. 14/07/2025

    Ep 34: Letters, Oceans, and Global Connections

    Marine biologist and ocean climate advocate Carissa Cabrera joins us to talk about ocean conservation, youth engagement, and the importance of storytelling in driving global action. Drawing a powerful link between the work of the Universal Postal Union and the ocean movement, Carissa highlights how multilateral frameworks must be paired with bottom-up, community-driven accountability to truly deliver results.   Speaking as a juror for the 2025 International Letter-Writing Competition, Carissa reflects on the voices of young people who imagined themselves as the ocean, calling on humanity to care. Their words, she says, reveal not only deep empathy but a shared determination to act.   With over a decade of experience in science communication, Carissa also explores how creative expression, through letters, social media, or digital campaigns, can transform awareness into action, and how small, personal stories can influence global change.   This conversation is a reminder that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are shaping the future today.

    19 min

  6. 15/05/2025

    Ep 33: Navigating digital identity for secure and inclusive digital financial system

    Digital identity is far more than a practical tool – it is a crucial factor for financial inclusion and access to digital services. For people without an ID, those in remote areas, and many women, digital identity is key to accessing essential digital services. People without official identification are often invisible to systems, digital identity offers a path to recognition. Visa has made it its mission to develop solutions that enable accessible, secure, and inclusive digital financial systems. Through its partnership with the UPU, Visa can further amplify its efforts to empower underserved communities. In this episode of Voice Mail, Marie Austenaa, Head of Digital Identity at Visa, explains how Visa supports initiatives aimed at advancing women in the digital financial space – because empowering women benefits not only them, but also their families and communities. In this context, post offices play a crucial role as trusted partners in verifying digital identity. It becomes clear that digital identity is about much more than safely verifying one’s identity online - it is a tool that enables access to healthcare, education, and economic participation.

    21 min

  7. 30/04/2025

    Ep 32: Ocean literacy - Why Ocean observation needs a truly global effort

    Seventy percent of the Earth is covered by the Ocean, yet only 26% of the seafloor has been mapped, and just 25% of marine species have been identified. This highlights how little we truly know about the Ocean — and even that limited knowledge is constantly evolving due to climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss.    Why does understanding the Ocean matter so much?    Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, joins Voice Mail to share his perspective. He explains why it is vital for us to "face the Ocean" and how strengthening Ocean literacy across all countries is essential for the future of our planet.    Vidar Helgesen also discusses his role as a jury member for this year’s International Letter-Writing Competition, organized in partnership with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and offers insights into what he'll be looking for as both an Ocean expert and a writing enthusiast.

    22 min

  8. 19/12/2024

    Ep 31: Reimagining air transport for the digital age

    With 80% of cross-border e-commerce transported by air, air cargo is a cornerstone of global trade. Beyond enabling these economically vital exchanges, air transport fosters development, creates jobs, improves infrastructure, and drives global connectivity. Since its founding in 1945, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has played a key role in shaping the air transport industry. Representing 320 airlines and 83% of global air traffic, IATA focuses on setting global standards, improving operational efficiency, and addressing the evolving challenges of the aviation sector. Its partnership with the UPU is nearly as old as IATA itself. For seven decades, the two organizations have worked together to align postal and aviation processes, address safety and security concerns, and enhance the seamless exchange of data across the supply chain. In this episode of Voice Mail, André Majeres, Head of E-Commerce and Cargo Operations at IATA, explores how air cargo underpins cross-border e-commerce, a market projected to account for one in three parcels globally by 2027. He discusses IATA’s key priorities – safety, security, digitalization, and sustainability – and emphasizes that open collaboration among all supply chain stakeholders, innovation, and seamless integration are essential to the persistent vitality and relevance of post-airline cooperation.

    32 min
See All (37)

About

Voice Mail is the official podcast of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Information

  • Creator
    UPU - Voice Mail
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Voice Mail