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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Negotiation & Summit Language

Summit

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈsʌmɪt/nounCore term

In international relations & diplomacy, summit means: A high-level meeting between heads of state or government, often lasting a day or two, to discuss major issues and agree on joint decisions or statements.

In Turkish: zirve, zirve toplantısı

How it is used

Summits are hosted, attended and held, and officials prepare them for months. The end product is often a 'summit declaration' or communiqué. 'Summitry' means diplomacy conducted through summits; meetings of ministers are 'ministerial meetings'.

Example sentences

  1. The two leaders will meet at a summit in the capital next month.

  2. The summit ended with a joint declaration on energy security.

  3. Officials are still negotiating the wording of the summit statement.

Common collocations

  • host a summit
  • attend a summit
  • summit declaration
  • on the sidelines of the summit
  • summit meeting
  • communiquéAn official statement issued at the end of a meeting or summit, summarising what the participants discussed and agreed.
  • joint statementA public statement issued together by two or more governments or organisations, setting out positions or commitments they share.
  • head of stateThe person who represents a state at the highest level, such as a president or monarch; this role may or may not be held by the head of government as well.
  • agendaThe list of issues to be discussed at a meeting; more broadly, the set of goals or priorities that a government or organisation wants to pursue.
  • delegationA group of people chosen to represent a country or organisation at a meeting, conference or negotiation, usually led by a head of delegation.

More terms: Negotiation & Summit Language

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