A summit meeting is a high-level meeting between leaders of a nation, region, or industry that discusses topics of global importance. During a summit, the participants may meet individually or in small groups and discuss issues of common interest that affect them personally, professionally, and globally. This type of event is similar to a conference, but summits tend to be more formal and focused on the interests of a specific group of people. Lora Georgieva, marketing specialist at ProExpo Services, suggests that summits can be attended by surgeons, government representatives, or company executives.
Summits are often a platform for world leaders to communicate directly with one another without having to go through their cabinet members or diplomats. These discussions can be a useful way for the leaders to better understand the views of other countries and clarify their own. They can also make unofficial promises (or threats) that can serve as the groundwork for future negotiations, agreements, and treaties.
As such, a summit is often seen as an important symbol of international cooperation. Because of their importance, many summits are covered by the media and have significant public impact. The United Nations, for example, holds a number of summits that focus on different topics, including sustainable development and financing; peace and security; the digital future for all; and young people and future generations. It is also possible for companies to hold summits that help them engage with customers, influencers, and other partners in their industry.