Detail

`The Asian and Oceanic Postal Union (AOPU) marks the 10th anniversary of its founding on April 1, 1972. The primary objective of AOPU is to expand, promote and improve postal relation among its member countries and increase their cooperation in postal operations by forming a single unified postal zone with the countries in Asia and Oceania. The formation of AOPU was proposed jointly by the Republic of Korea and the Philippines in 1959. In the following year, an inaugural meeting was held in Manila, the Philippines. AOPU was formally founded on April 1, 1962, with the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and the Republic of China as its members. AOPU, which has its headquarters in Manila, was later joined by Laos, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. More countries in the area are expected to follow suit. The main activities of AOPU include : (1) taking various measures for mutual benefits in the process of postal exchange, (2) exchange among the member nations of postal personnel for training, (3) holding seminars on postal matters and (4) operation of the Asian and Oceanic Postal Training School. In order to publicize the significant occasion of the anniversary and in the hope that AOPU will further contribute to the improvement of postal administration among its member countries, the Ministry of Communications is issuing this commemorative stamp.`