In the service of the member countries or territories, the General Secretariat shall have the following general functions:

1. in fulfilment of the Union’s strategic purposes:

a) managing the collection of information from various sources pertaining to Union postal services, regarding the operation and implementation of new services, technology, trends and markets, periodically distributing this information to its members, and keeping this information available on the Union's website;

b) conducting studies or surveys as instructed by the Congress or Council;

c) providing information requested from it by member countries or territories, the UPU International Bureau, Restricted Unions or international organizations dealing with matters of interest or related to postal services;

d) participating and collaborating in multilateral technical cooperation plans and representing the Union to the appropriate international organizations or member countries or territories as potential sources of assistance for the improvement of postal services in member countries or territories;

e) issuing an opinion on disputed issues at the request of the parties concerned;

f) keeping up-to-date records on the extent of compliance with Recommendations adopted by the Congress and notifying member countries or territories of changes in their status;

g) keeping the General Secretariat Library and Philatelic Section properly organized;

h) developing, implementing and supervising technical cooperation and assistance programs for the conduct of regional postal training activities, including on-site and distance training programs and courses, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Congress;

i) authorizing the launching of projects classified as urgent under the provisions of the Technical Cooperation Regulations;

j) coordinating with the parties concerned the projects included in the action plan;

k) disseminating the results and updating the reports on the implementation of the Technical Cooperation projects presented by member countries or territories;

l) providing long-distance consulting services to member countries and territories on matters related to the organization and execution of postal services in general and their monitoring.

2. With regard to the administration and operation of the Union:

a) managing procedures for the accession and admission to and withdrawal from the Union by countries or territories concerned;

b) serving as Secretariat to the Council, its Management Committee and Working Groups, and preparing reports in collaboration with the chairmen of such bodies, providing members with the documents to be evaluated at least 30 days prior to the dates on which their meetings will be held;

c) without prejudice to the provisions of Article 124, paragraph (a) of these Regulations, requesting an independent audit of the Union's economic and financial position at the end of the fiscal year;

d) drafting each year the proposed budget for the following year, including the budget of the Availability Fund, statements of Union expenditures and the Annual Report on work performed, all subject to consideration by the Management Committee and approval by the Council;

e) submitting to the Council a detailed account statement of the Technical Cooperation Funds and the implementation of the Union’s budget;

f) administering the Third-Party Fund accounts, upon request by Union member countries or territories;

g) issuing an opinion on the interpretation of the rules set forth in the Constitution, General Regulations, and subsequent Resolutions and Recommendations, at the request of any member country or territory. Such interpretations shall be brought to the attention of the other member countries or territories and shall be subject to approval at the next Council meeting;

h) maintaining an up-to-date compilation of the Resolutions, Recommendations and Decisions of the Congress and Council that are still in force and posting them on the Union’s website;

i) administering the Union’s website and keeping it current;

j) establishing a system of communication with member countries or territories that will ensure dissemination of information on the General Secretariat’s activities.

3. Within the framework of Congresses, the Council and other Union meetings:

a) assisting in the organization and conduct of Congresses, Council meetings and other meetings called by the Union;

b) sending pertinent inquiries to all member countries or territories to select a new host, in the circumstances described in Article 103, paragraph 3 and Article 113, paragraph 2 above, informing the Council of the results of its efforts and requesting its approval of one of the offers, and subsequently advising all member governments of the name of the country designated by the Council to host the Congress;

c) duly distributing proposals submitted by member countries or territories for consideration at Congresses, Council meetings and other Union meetings;

d) preparing the agenda for Council meetings and the report on its studies and proposals for submission to the Congress;

e) publishing and distributing the documents of Congresses, Council meetings and other Union meetings;

f) reporting to member countries or territories on the procedures for ratifying and acceding to Union Acts.

4. With regard to Universal Postal Union Congresses:

a) making arrangements with the Congress host for the provision of the facilities required for performing the duties of the General Secretariat;

b) assisting member countries or territories in matters pertaining to the conduct of the Universal Postal Congress;

c) taking action to establish alliances with other Restricted Unions, so as to exchange support and/or develop strategies that will promote the interests and objectives established by the majority of member countries or territories, within the framework of the permanent bodies and the Universal Postal Congress.