Universal Postal Union

Postal Union, Universal (UPU), United Nations agency governing the international flow of mail. Begun in 1874 with 22 nations attending the first International Postal Congress in Berne, Switzerland, the UPU became a UN agency in 1947. Today it includes all 170 member nations. The UPU sets policies and uniform procedures for the exchange of mail and parcels between countries and establishes reasonable postal rates. It also provides technical assistance and advice to its members and strives toward the improvement of all services under its supervision.