Participants during the fourth regional workshop on operational readiness in the postal sector.
Doha: In collaboration with the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and Qatar Postal Services Company (Qatar Post), the UPU Regional Office in Doha hosted the Fourth Regional Workshop on Operational Readiness for E-commerce, Disaster and Risk Management in the Postal Sector in November 2025.
The workshop was held as part of the implementation of the Operational Readiness for E-commerce (ORE3) project under the Universal Postal Union’s (UPU) Regional Development Plan for 2022–2025.
The workshop served as a platform to enhance regional cooperation and exchange expertise in the areas of e-commerce readiness, postal innovation, and risk management, with broad participation from postal sectors across Arab countries. It reviewed the progress achieved in implementing the ORE3 project and discussed new approaches to strengthening operational and postal risk management mechanisms within national postal systems in the region. Discussions focused on two main areas: enhancing the operational readiness of designated operators to effectively support e-commerce systems and developing robust risk management frameworks to ensure business continuity and reliable postal services, even under challenging conditions.
Participants took part in sessions addressing advanced technical topics, including evaluating the impact of the ORE3 project on postal performance, integrating digital and financial systems to streamline cross-border operations, and improving monitoring and evaluation mechanisms through UPU tools such as the Quality Control System (QCS) and the Integrated Quality Reporting System (IQRS).
As part of preparations for the upcoming postal cycle (2026–2029), the workshop marked the conclusion of the ORE3 project, which was implemented by the UPU to support member countries in developing their operational and digital infrastructure in response to the rapid transformations in the e-commerce sector. The project focused on enhancing operational efficiency across postal supply chains, facilitating customs clearance processes, and strengthening cooperation among postal, customs, and logistics entities to ensure the delivery of fast, secure, and reliable services.
The concluding workshop also marked the beginning of a new phase, as participants reviewed the outcomes achieved throughout the project’s implementation, discussed key challenges and lessons learned, and laid the foundation for a new regional work plan for the 2026–2029 postal cycle. The plan aims to promote postal and digital integration and reinforce the vital role of the postal sector in advancing e-commerce and the digital economy across the Arab region.
