Most of the countries in the world are members of the Universal Postal Union. The Constitution of this Union permits members to form themselves into restricted unions covering specific regions of the globe. Special agreements are concluded to facilitate cooperation and improvement in the postal services of the member countries within the region, provided such agreements   introduce   provisions more favourable to the members  of the public than  those  provided  by the  acts  of  the UPU. Further a restricted Union has the important role of promoting postal development in the region, cooperating with the UPU and the regional economic commissions in the implementation of technical assistance programmes in respect of postal services and strengthening relations with the other  restricted  Unions. At present the following seven restricted Unions are functioning in different parts of the world:

1. European  Conference  of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) Headquarter - Stockholm

2. The African Posts and Telecommunications Union (APTU) Headquarter - Brazzaville

3. The  Arab  Postal  Union (UPA) Headquarter - Cairo

4. The  Postal  Union  of  the Americas and Spain (PUAS) Headquarter - Santiago

5. The African Postal Union (APU) Headquarter - Cairo

6. Asian-Oceanic Union (AOPU) Postal Headquarter - Manila

7. The Nordic Postal Union (UPPN) Headquarter - Helsinki

The Asian Oceanic Postal Union was established in 1962 with headquarters and Central Office in Manila in Philippines. The membership of the Union is open to the countries of the Asian Oceanic region. At present the Union comprises Australia, Bangladesh, China (People's Republic), India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Some more countries are expected to join soon.

The supreme organ of the Union is the Congress comprising all the members and is held once in 5 years. The main function of the Congress is  to revise the Constitution of the restricted Union. The Executive Council in which all the members are represented ensures the continuity of the work of the Union during the interval between the Congresses and also supervises the work of the Central Office of the Union.

Concessions in postal tariffs are  given by the member countries oil the surface letter mail addressed to other member countries on a reciprocal  basis.  This  is of direct advantage to the users of postal services  of  this region.

India joined the Asian Oceanic Postal Union in 1973 and has been actively participating in the affairs of the Union. The AOPU has now completed 15 years of its service to the  countries  of  the region.

The Indian P & T Department is happy to mark  the  occasion by  issuing  a commemorative  postage stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India