United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office General Government Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2000-03-09 monographic deposited born digital 16 p. GA 1.13:T-GGD-00-63 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63 P0b002ee1803772af f:gg00063t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63 T-GGD-00-63 Interagency relations Human resources utilization International cooperation International agreements Postal service Mail transportation operations Foreign policies International organizations Universal Postal Union Testimony GGD The State Department assumed primary responsibility for U.S. policy on Universal Postal Union (UPU) matters in 1998. State has made progress in implementing its new responsibilities by consulting with the Postal Service, other federal agencies, postal users, private providers of international postal services, and the public. Also, State clearly signaled changes in U.S. policy on UPU reform. Despite this progress, opportunities exist for State to improve its process for developing U.S. policy on these matters and the institutional continuity and expertise of its staff. For example, GAO found shortcomings in the timing and notifications for public meetings and the distribution of documents discussed at those meeting that may have limited opportunities for stakeholders to provide meaningful input. GAO recommends that State establish a more structured, timely, and open process for developing U.S. policy on UPU matters. Also, State should provide sufficient staff continuity and expertise to handle its UPU responsibilities. It is unclear, however, how State plans to address GAO's recommendations. This testimony summarized the January 2000 GAO report, GAO/GGD-00-40. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63/html/GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63/pdf/GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63.pdf GAO/T-GGD-00-63 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-GGD-00-63 Testimony GAO/T-GGD-00-63; Postal Issues: The Department of State's International; Interagency relations Human resources utilization International cooperation International agreements Postal service Mail transportation operations Foreign policies International organizations Universal Postal Union