The G-7 summit meetings were originally created to provide leaders of key countries with an opportunity to interact informally. Such meetings have become long on bureaucracy, formality and pageantry, whilst remaining short on substance. The almost private conversations between heads of state needing to know each other have evolved into economic and political conferences. The presence of several thousand journalists obliges each leader to be extremely careful in preparing what is said. Much unnecessary effort goes into preparing communiqués, press conferences and declarations.