Giuliano da Empoli’s book, “Time of the Predators,” highlights the importance of physical meetings in diplomacy, citing the UN General Assembly as a key example. The author appreciates the unique atmosphere of the space, which he describes as both solemn and intimate due to its Danish design.

Da Empoli argues that world peace is significantly fostered by the face-to-face interactions between diplomats, often referred to as sherpas.

In one anecdotal example, Da Empoli recounts witnessing an Iranian official attempt to bypass the French president’s sherpa to obtain his mobile number, illustrating the personal connections forged in these environments.