For centuries, world leaders, diplomats, and merchants have traveled great distances to meet one another. Now that we have the technology to meet virtually—avoiding the inconveniences of travel and reducing carbon emissions– are face-to-face meetings still necessary?

I’ve asked myself this question many times since becoming President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration three years ago and setting off on an intensive travel schedule. During this time, I have visited over 50 cities in 35 countries, including across Latin America, with stops in Bogota, Mexico City, Santiago, and São Paulo. I am often crossing time zones and struggling with jet lag. But from my perspective, for all the ease that technology offers to communicate with colleagues in far-flung places, nothing yet replaces real human interaction and speaking face-to-face.