Postal Issues: The Department of State's Implementation of Its International Postal Responsibilities
GGD-00-40
Published: Jan 31, 2000. Publicly Released: Mar 01, 2000.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed how the Department of State has implemented its new responsibilities for U.S. policy regarding U.S. participation in the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should take appropriate steps to: (1) establish a process for developing U.S. policy on UPU matters that would be more structured, timely, open, and conducive to meaningful stakeholder input as well as develop a readily accessible public record; and (2) provide sufficient staff continuity and expertise to handle its UPU responsibilities. |
Closed – Implemented
The Department of State has taken several specific actions to improve its handling of its international postal policy responsibilities by implementing the recommendations. First, State has assigned a senior-level member of its career staff to work on UPU matters. Second, State has improved its web site on international postal policy, such as posting minutes of UPU meetings; improved outreach to invite stakeholders to public meetings and to solicit comments on UPU issues; invited private sector representatives to attend meetings of the UPU group considering UPU reform; held public and interagency meetings; and started to maintain minutes of these meetings.
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Foreign policiesStaff utilizationInternational agreementsInternational cooperationInternational organizationsMail transportation operationsPerformance measuresPostal lawPostal serviceInterested parties