Summit in Davos wraps up

DAVOS, Switzerland – More than 2,000 of the world’s rich and powerful decamped from this luxurious Swiss ski resort Sunday after five days of talks on how to improve the world.

In particular, they discussed issues including stamping out poverty, fighting disease and bringing peace to the Middle East and elsewhere.

They left with a message of optimism from South Korean unification minister Chung Dong-young, who said he was hopeful there would be “substantial resolution” in nuclear talks with North Korea.

“The time for diplomacy is now,” he said.

Whether any of the lofty goals set forward at the World Economic Forum will take root in the global trouble spots far from this idyllic Alpine village will not be known for some time.

But there was hope among many social activists here, including U2 front man Bono, that the world leaders were doing more than just blowing smoke.

The Davos summit has been going on for decades, mostly as a place for billionaires and millionaires to mingle.

But the summit has become increasingly socially conscious in recent years, partly in response to anti-globalization protesters who have denounced the gathering as elitist and disconnected.