@petergleick Years ago a German political satirist said in one of his acts that basically all international panels, political conferences and summits are just for pictures¹. Every participating country has its own government, and summits can’t pass any legislation.

That doesn’t mean that talking is pointless, but traveling tens of thousands miles with several thousands of delegates might not be the most efficient way to talk.

¹ IIRC he actually said circle jerking.