GENEVA — Representatives from 47 nations convened in Geneva Wednesday for the Global Leadership Summit on Summit Effectiveness, a three-day conference dedicated to examining why the 2023 Global Leadership Summit, the 2024 International Leaders’ Conference, and the 2025 World Forum on Collective Action failed to produce any collective action.

The summit, which cost an estimated $47 million to organize and required 12,000 flight miles from the delegates committed to discussing carbon emissions, opened with a rousing address from summit co-chair Ambassador Helena Formsworth of the United Kingdom, who called the gathering “an important first step” — a phrase that critics noted has been used to describe every summit since 1945.

“We are here today,” Ambassador Formsworth told attendees, many of whom had not removed their lapel microphones from previous summits, “to have a frank conversation about why frank conversations haven’t been enough. This time will be different.”

When asked how this time would be different, she said it was too early to speculate.

"After extensive deliberation, we have agreed on the need for further deliberation. The communiqué will reflect our shared commitment to issuing a communiqué."

Day one of the summit was devoted to approving the agenda. Day two will be devoted to amending the approved agenda. Day three will be devoted to releasing a joint statement expressing “cautious optimism” and scheduling the 2027 Summit on Why the 2026 Summit Didn’t Work.

Delegates did make progress on several procedural matters. A working group was formed to define “working group.” The seating chart was revised three times. The catering — described by multiple ambassadors as “a genuine triumph of international cooperation” — featured cuisine from 23 nations and was universally praised.

Summit By The Numbers

- **Nations represented:** 47 - **Binding commitments made:** 0 - **Non-binding commitments made:** 14 (previously described as "historic") - **Coffee breaks:** 7 - **Times someone said "at the end of the day":** 341 - **Cost per attendee:** $94,000 - **Sandwiches consumed:** Approximately 4,000

The summit’s final communiqué, leaked to Freedom Eagle by a delegate who insisted on anonymity because “it’s funnier that way,” reportedly commits signatories to “exploring the possibility of considering the formation of a panel to assess the feasibility of convening talks” on the issue — what sources describe as “the diplomatic equivalent of putting something on a to-do list you already know you won’t do.”

At press time, twelve delegations had already booked flights for next year’s event.