The theory was that whatever event that occured did so at basically a UN meeting. If this is true, it may stand to reason that human nobles, magisters, and mages, qunari representatives, and Dalish and Dwarves would be there, but not city elves. Except as a servant.
And wouldn't that be a fun story?
Yesterday, I was sweeping your floors and carrying your luggage. Today, I'm saving the world.
Indeed! It's the main reason I love the City Elf Origin, especially when walking into the Landsmeet. A lowly elven servant that cleaned nobles' castles all her life now gets to stand before them in their highest court decision. For once, an elf gets to take center stage while human nobles have to sit back as her actions determine their fate. It was the most glorious feeling in the world.
For that reason, I was bummed to learn City Elf won't be a playable option for Inquisition. But then elves are still the underdogs of surface Thedas society, so there's that. Plus, an elf's an elf. I'd rather play an elf (or dwarf or grey giant) over a human any day.