Minister Knowles leads delegation to 26th Annual Caribbean Postal Union Conference & 20th Caribbean Council of Ministers of Postal Affairs Meeting

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 18th June 2024: Honourable Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities led a four-member Turks and Caicos Islands delegation at the 26^th Annual Caribbean Postal Union Conference & 20^th Caribbean Council of Ministers of Postal Affairs Meeting which was held in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands from 3^rd -7^th June 2024, under the theme: “Promoting Inclusion – Reinforcing Relevance.’’  Other members of the delegation included Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, Ms. TeAnn Thomas, Postmaster General, Mrs. Elizabeth James and Head of Secretariat, Ms. Shanetta Thompson.

The highlight of the conference was a two-day Universal Postal Union Strategy Forum held between the 3^rd and 4^th of June. The forum consisted of three panel discussions under the themes:

1. Leveraging the Single Postal Territory: Enhancing Global Connectivity and Cooperation
2. Innovations in the Global Postal Ecosystem: Driving Transformation and Growth
3. Facilitating Postal Development through Enhanced Cooperation: Building Resilience and Inclusivity

Honourable Knowles was a panellist during discussions on the theme “Facilitating Postal Development through Enhanced Cooperation: Building Resilience and Inclusivity.”

In line with the conference’s theme of “Promoting Inclusion – Reinforcing Relevance” there were presentations from guest speakers and experts in the areas of:

• Security certificates and Best Practices
• Inter-Governmental Postal Corporation
• Crypto Stamps
• Direct marketing and E-Commerce
• Cyber Security
• Disaster Risk Management
• Cross Border Technology

There were also extensive discussions on the difficulties encountered by member states in the transportation of mail regionally and internationally.

More than thirty (30) countries were represented at the conference including the United States of America, France, Switzerland, Canada, India and Japan.

Commenting on the conference, the Postmaster General of the Turks and Caicos Islands Mrs. Elizabeth James noted, “The conference was very informative and provided the opportunity to meet with regional and international colleagues to discuss common issues facing the Postal Services and to find solutions by developing coherent strategies and the sharing of information.”

Commenting on the meeting, Honourable Knowles said: “It has been a privilege to attend the 26^th Annual Caribbean Postal Union Conference & 20^th Caribbean Council of Ministers of Postal Affairs Meeting in the beautiful Cayman Islands. This conference has been a platform for insightful discussions, collaboration and networking among postal service professionals from the Caribbean region. Throughout the conference, we have reaffirmed the importance of the postal sector in facilitating communication, trade, and connectivity within the Caribbean and beyond. The discussions centred on strategies to improve postal services, enhance efficiency, embrace digital transformation, and address emerging challenges in the postal industry.”

Honourable Knowles further shared, “As Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, I am committed to supporting the development of a robust and resilient postal network that serves the needs of our citizens, businesses, and communities. I am encouraged by the spirit of cooperation and partnership that has characterised our interactions during this conference. I eagerly anticipate the transformation of Postal Services across the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The delegation returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands on 9^th June 2024.

Caption on group photo, all people standing

Caption: (left to right): Deputy Postmaster General of Cayman Islands Melissa Martinez- Ebanks,

Chief Officer Ministry of Border Control and Labour Mr. Wesley Howell of Cayman Islands,

Post Master General of Cayman Islands Ms. Sheena Glasgow, Minister  for Boarder Control,

Labour & Culture Hon. Dwayne Seymour, Deputy Premier of Cayman Islands Hon. Andre Ebanks,

Hon. Kyle Knowles Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Deputy Permanent Secretary Public Safety

and Utilities Ms. TeAnn Thomas, Post Master General Mrs. Elizabeth James and

Head Secretariat Public Safety and Utilities Ms. Shanetta Thompson.