In a ceremony at the UPUExternal link headquarters in the Swiss capital, Bern on Wednesday, Metoki pledged to strengthen the organisation and to set it on a path towards more sustainable development.
Metoki, who was previously a senior official at Japan Post and Japan’s representative on the UPU’s Postal Operations Council from 2012, has taken over from Kenya’s Bishar A. Hussein, who led the 192-member organisation since 2012.
Switzerland’s Pascal Clivaz, who acted as deputy to Hussein, was also a candidate for the top post, but lost out in elections last year.
According to a UPU insider quoted by the Berner Zeitung paper last August, Clivaz’s defeat was largely due to member states unhappy with how the leadership team handled several scandals in the past few years, including a case of sexual harassment at the organisation, as well as cases of unlawful firing of staff.
Established in 1874, the United Nations agency is one of the world’s oldest international organisations and is the primary global forum for cooperation between postal sector players.
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Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with his victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
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On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
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The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
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The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
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The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
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Global associations call for more flights to transport mail
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) asked governments to boost air capacity for postal services.
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The Universal Postal Union has been meeting in Geneva this week in a showdown to prevent the US pulling out of the 145-year-old organisation.
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The three-day meeting in Geneva comes a week after the Swiss Post Office announced plans for a radical overhaul which will lead to 2,500 job cuts. The 700 delegates are discussing how organisations devoted to moving paper from place to place should deal with a future increasingly enveloped by email messages. The UPU predicts that…
Swiss-based Universal Postal Union celebrates 125th anniversary
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One of the least-known international organisations in Switzerland, the Universal Postal Union, is this weekend celebrating its 125th anniversary. Based in the Swiss capital Berne, the United Nations agency exists to ensure universal services for all its members and it has faced a number of challenges. The UPU is rolling out the red carpet this…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.