192 UPU Member Countries Agree to Adopt 'Riyadh Solution'

The UPU conference will continue in the capital, Riyadh, until October 5. SPA
The UPU conference will continue in the capital, Riyadh, until October 5. SPA
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192 UPU Member Countries Agree to Adopt 'Riyadh Solution'

The UPU conference will continue in the capital, Riyadh, until October 5. SPA
The UPU conference will continue in the capital, Riyadh, until October 5. SPA

The Fourth Extraordinary Conference of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Riyadh announced the adoption of what has been referred to as the "Riyadh Solution" that enhances interconnection and integration in the global postal sector.

The decision is a result of discussions over the years, which resulted in major proposals and recommendations to develop the logistics sector, enhance cooperation between members of the UPU and other postal sector entities, and raise the quality of global postal services through the UPU opening its doors to expand the scope of its products and services.

The initiatives proposed in the Riyadh Solution also include the establishment of customized business models, aiming to facilitate the access of further parties other than the designated operators or official postal institutions to the services of the UPU.

The decision aims to enhance cooperation and partnership among members and improve postal services on a global scale, developing the global postal network and enhancing its interconnectedness.

The UPU conference will continue in the capital, Riyadh, until October 5, and will bring together decision-makers, experts, and stakeholders from around the world to review opportunities for improvement and discuss innovative solutions for the global postal sector. The Riyadh Solution is a major step forward in creating a more integrated and efficient global postal system that meets the evolving needs of people and businesses worldwide.



UN Predicts World Economic Growth to Remain at 2.8% in 2025

A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
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UN Predicts World Economic Growth to Remain at 2.8% in 2025

A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
A vegetable vendor sits beside a bonfire on his handcart on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on January 6, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

Global economic growth is projected to remain at 2.8% in 2025, unchanged from 2024, held back by the top two economies, the US and China, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects report said that "positive but somewhat slower growth forecasts for China and the United States" will be complemented by modest recoveries in the European Union, Japan, and Britain and robust performance in some large developing economies, notably India and Indonesia.

"Despite continued expansion, the global economy is projected to grow at a slower pace than the 2010–2019 (pre-pandemic) average of 3.2%," according to the report by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

"This subdued performance reflects ongoing structural challenges such as weak investment, slow productivity growth, high debt levels, and demographic pressures," Reuters quoted it as saying.

The report said US growth was expected to moderate from 2.8% last year to 1.9% in 2025 as the labor market softens and consumer spending slows.

It said growth in China was estimated at 4.9% for 2024 and projected to be 4.8% this year with public sector investments and a strong export performance partly offset by subdued consumption growth and lingering property sector weakness.
Europe was expected to recover modestly with growth increasing from 0.9% in 2024 to 1.3% in 2025, "supported by easing inflation and resilient labor markets," the report said.

South Asia is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing region, with regional GDP projected to expand by 5.7% in 2025 and 6% in 2026, supported by a strong performance by India and economic recoveries in Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the report said.

India, the largest economy in South Asia, is forecast to grow by 6.6% in 2025 and 6.8% in 2026, driven by robust private consumption and investment.
The report said major central banks are likely to further reduce interest rates in 2025 as inflationary pressures ease. Global inflation is projected to decline from 4% in 2024 to 3.4% in 2025, offering some relief to households and businesses.
It calls for bold multilateral action to tackle interconnected crises, including debt, inequality, and climate change.
"Monetary easing alone will not be sufficient to reinvigorate global growth or address widening disparities," the report added.