Borge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2017, announced his resignation after an independent review examined his relationship with Epstein.

The review was launched following the release of new US Justice Department documents related to Epstein’s network of contacts.

Dinners and Messages With Epstein

Documents revealed that Brende had three business dinners with Epstein between 2018 and 2019 and exchanged emails and text messages with him. Brende has said he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal past when they first met and later regretted not conducting deeper background checks.

In a statement announcing his resignation, the former Norwegian foreign minister said he did not want the issue to distract from the organization’s work.

“I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions,” Brende said.

Investigation Found No Additional Issues

According to the World Economic Forum, the independent review conducted by external counsel found no further concerns beyond what had already been disclosed.

Despite that conclusion, Brende said the controversy risked overshadowing the forum’s activities, including its annual Davos summit, which brings together global political and business leaders.

Leadership Transition

WEF Managing Director Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO, while the organization’s Board of Trustees begins the process of selecting a permanent successor.

Brende led the organization for more than eight years, overseeing a period of reforms and expansion of the Davos meetings.

Epstein Network Still Under Scrutiny

The resignation comes as investigations into Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with global political, business, and financial elites continue.

US authorities have released millions of documents related to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The files have triggered renewed scrutiny of numerous high-profile figures whose past interactions with Epstein are now under public examination.

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