By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Isaac Gnamba-Yao, former
president of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Board of Directors, has expressed
gratitude for his tenure leading the organisation’s Executive Board from 2021
to 2025 as the second session of the Dubai Round (2026–2029) opened in Bern,
Switzerland.
The session opened on
Monday, October 19, 2026, marking an important working sequence for the UPU
following its 2025 Congress.
Gnamba-Yao, who represented
Côte d’Ivoire during his presidency, said returning to the Council Chamber
brought back memories of his time at the organisation, including the
relationships and friendships he built over the years.
“Walking through the doors
of this beautiful Council Chamber again moved me deeply,” he said, recalling
colleagues he had known for nearly fifteen years and others who had become
companions and friends since the 2021 UPU Congress in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
At the Abidjan Congress, the
confidence of UPU member states led to his election as president of the Board
of Directors.
Gnamba-Yao thanked
colleagues for what he described as “the demanding debates, the patiently built
compromises, the friendships forged in the service of a common cause: a more
inclusive and forward-looking global postal network.”
He said one of the most
significant moments of his return was seeing his portrait displayed in the
debate room alongside those of previous presidents who had led the institution
on behalf of their countries.
“I am honoured to have been
able, on behalf of Côte d’Ivoire, to chair the work of the Executive Board from
2021 to 2025,” he said, adding that he shared the pride with everyone who had
contributed to making his mandate possible.
Gnamba-Yao also wished his
friend Jean-Paul Forceville success as he began work with the Postal Operations
Board during the week, ahead of the UPU Board of Directors session scheduled
for October 26 to 30.
