Opening ceremony of the Arab Postal Leaders Forum. Rabat, Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Under the theme “Transforming Postal Logistics Chains for a Digital Future Focused on E-Commerce,” the two-day forum aims to explore ways to keep pace with the rapid changes in the postal sector amid the continued growth of e-commerce and the digital economy.
This gathering provides a genuine opportunity to bolster dialogue and coordination among sector stakeholders to build a more integrated, efficient Arab postal and logistics system capable of adapting to global changes, stated Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour.
The minister reviewed the various challenges facing the postal sector in the Arab region, including accelerated shifts in trade and consumption patterns, the rising tide of cross-border e-commerce and digital transactions, stressing the need to develop smart, interconnected infrastructure and adopt innovative tech solutions and advanced digital services.
“Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, attaches particular importance to modernizing the postal and logistics sector, developing e-commerce, strengthening digital transition, and improving the business climate in line with international best practices and standards,” he affirmed.
For his part, the director general of Barid Al-Maghrib, Amin Benjelloun Touimi, noted that postal institutions across the Arab world must address numerous challenges, including modernizing logistics networks, building digital infrastructure, leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics, boosting e-commerce, and facilitating access for small and medium enterprises to regional and global markets.
According to him, strengthening coordination among postal institutions and developing partnerships with players in transport, technology, and e-commerce can advance the sector in the Arab region, highlighting that Morocco has made digital transition and economic integration key drivers for comprehensive development.
Speaking via video conference, the director general of the UPU International Bureau, Masahiko Metoki, emphasized that e-commerce, digital technologies, and evolving consumer expectations have reshaped global trade at an unprecedented pace. The future of the postal sector will be determined by innovation, digital interoperability, and public-private partnerships, he said, noting that the UPU remains fully committed to supporting the Arab region in this transformation.
On the sidelines, a joint stamp issuance ceremony between Morocco and Mauritania took place, attended by the director general of Mauripost, Alioune Ould Issa.
Hosting this forum in Morocco aligns with the enlightened vision of King Mohammed VI, which positions digital transformation and economic integration as essential levers for overall development. This meeting also follows previous editions held in Oman in 2024 and Qatar in 2025, reflecting the importance of strengthening Arab cooperation and sharing experiences in postal and logistics services.
Participants will address several strategic issues affecting the sector’s future, including modernizing logistics chains and postal networks, integrating advanced technologies, AI, and data analytics to boost operational performance and service quality, and developing partnerships between postal operators and other players in logistics and digital ecosystems.
They will also examine mechanisms to support cross-border e-commerce, ways to facilitate SME access to regional and international markets, last-mile solutions, and funding models for modernization and digital transformation projects to enhance the competitiveness of the Arab postal sector and its ability to meet digital economy demands.
The forum’s work will culminate in adopting a set of operational recommendations and a cooperation roadmap for 2026-2027, aimed at supporting e-commerce development, strengthening regional logistics integration, and promoting a more resilient, innovative Arab postal ecosystem prepared for future challenges.
The opening ceremony was attended by the directors general of 14 Arab postal operators, representatives of the UPU International Bureau, the League of Arab States, postal regulatory authorities, and several national and international personalities.
