Universal Postal Union The Universal Postal Union is one of a number of inter-governmental organisations of the United Nations operating in a particular field. It is an international organisation whose purpose is to further the coordination and quality of postal services, and to support the development of international cooperation in this sphere. UPU was founded on 9.th October, 1874 in Bern. At the present time it has 178 members. The Slovak Republic joined its ranks on 18.th March, 1993. From 22.nd August to 14.th September, 1994 the 21.st Congress of the Universal Postal Union will be held in Seoul.