The Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) recently participated at the High-Level Postal Forum for Central America and other Strategic Countries of the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain, and Portugal (PUASP)from 14th to 15th May 2024. The event was hosted by the United States Government, through the United States Postal Service (USPS) and State at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Tysons Corner, Virginia, and was attended by senior officials from Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Portugal, Spain, Urugay, United States of America and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Bureau.
Represented by the Head of Postal, Mr Brian Kasonka Mwansa, CRASA’s intervention was specifically sought in the session titled: “Interregional Panel on Reform and Regulation”, and the presentation on:
“Supporting Regional Integration in Southern Africa through Harmonised Postal Reform and Regulation” was particularly well-received and appreciated by the delegates. In the presentation, Mr Mwansa introduced CRASA’s mandate within the context of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Integration Agenda. He also discussed the role of regulatory harmonisation in supporting regional integration and delved deeper into specific areas of regulatory focus and harmonisation efforts in the postal sector after which he concluded with lessons and recommendations for the PUASP region’s consideration.
As a result of this engagement, CRASA and PUASP are on the cusp of strengthening ties for mutual benefit of both regions aimed at fostering various forms of cooperation and collaboration in the area of postal sector policy and regulation.
