Partnership with INTERPOL

The UPU and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) have a longstanding partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on 29 April 1997. This collaboration focuses on strengthening global postal security, enhancing supply chain safety, and combating illicit activities, including intellectual property (IP) crime, drug trafficking, and other illegal practices engaged in through the international postal system.

1. Training and capacity-building: The UPU and INTERPOL collaborate to deliver comprehensive training programmes that equip postal operators with the knowledge and tools needed to identify and mitigate illicit activities.

• The International Intellectual Property Crime Investigators College (IIPCIC) virtual course on intellectual property rights enforcement is a key initiative. More information about the IIPCIC can be found here.
  
  
• In 2021, the UPU and INTERPOL completed targeted training on illicit goods mitigation for the Asia-Pacific region. Following the success of this initiative, it was further expanded to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2023 and to the Caribbean region in 2024. Within the Caribbean region, 18 countries participated, and 94 certificates were issued across 14 specialized courses. This was the first time when all IIPCIC courses were opened to postal security focal points.  The success of this rollout marks a new benchmark for strengthening postal security at a regional level.
  
  
• In September 2024, Post Aruba N.V. participated as an invited speaker in the International IP Crime Conference, showcasing best practices and regional successes.
  

2. Combating illicit activities: In addition to IP-related crime, the UPU and INTERPOL collaborate on initiatives to identify and address other postal-related illicit activities, including:

• Illicit drug trafficking;
• Substandard and falsified (SF) pharmaceuticals;
• Explosive and incendiary devices; and
• Money laundering.

3. Supply chain security: Improving the security of airmail and ensuring safer mail conveyance is a core priority of the partnership. The UPU and INTERPOL deliver specialized training and resources to combat emerging security challenges, including the following:

1. The IIPCIC course on counterfeit lithium batteries provides postal operators with critical tools to detect and mitigate risks associated with dangerous counterfeit goods; and
   
   
2. Complementary to this, the UPU dangerous goods course focuses on enhancing safety protocols for the conveyance of hazardous items through the postal system.

The UPU and INTERPOL remain committed to safeguarding postal networks worldwide through targeted training, capacity-building programmes, and coordinated efforts to address evolving security threats. By combining their expertise, the two organizations continue to enhance global postal security, ensure supply chain integrity, and protect societies from illicit activities.

• To find out about the UPU's new portal with access to campaigns, tools and resources for tackling the growing threat of illicit goods trade, visit the dedicated page here.