The international philately Working Group meeting was held in Baku on April 15–16, organized by Azerpost LLC, operating under AZCON Holding.
The event was organized within the framework of cooperation with PostEurop. Alongside representatives of postal operators from European countries, representatives of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP) also participated in the meeting.
During the two-day meeting, the development directions of philately, opportunities for international cooperation, and the modern role of postage stamps were discussed.
Within the framework of the meeting, a special program dedicated to the 70th anniversary of EUROPA stamps was presented. One of the key highlights of the event was the cancellation ceremony of the “EUROPA” stamp dedicated to the anniversary and the exhibition of stamps issued under this logo. In addition, a meeting with postcrossers was held to support the development of the Postcrossing direction in Azerbaijan, and special postcards were presented to them.
Furthermore, the winning design of the 2026 EUROPA stamp design competition — prepared based on the design presented by Finland’s postal operator Posti Ltd — was also introduced.
It should be noted that this initiative, established in 1956, today brings together more than 50 postal operators and serves as a symbol of cooperation among European countries.
Sitara Huseynova, Chair of the World Association for the Development of Philately and Deputy Chair of the Stamps and Philately Working Group of the PostEurop organization, noted that such international platforms not only introduce new approaches to the development of philately but also make an important contribution to strengthening cooperation among postal operators:
“Hosting working meetings of international organizations in Baku demonstrates that philately is not only a traditional field, but is also developing as a platform for culture, creativity, and international cooperation. Such initiatives help ensure that postage stamps remain attractive and relevant for new generations.”
Maira Lodi, Operations Manager at PostEurop organization, stated in his speech that the anniversary of EUROPA stamps is of great importance for further expanding cooperation among postal operators, and that such initiatives will continue in the future.
By actively participating in such international initiatives, Azerpost LLC contributes to the development of the country’s postal sector and to strengthening ties with the global postal community.
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