Børge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has announced his resignation following an internal review into his associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The organization initiated an independent assessment of Brende’s ties to the disgraced financier. This decision came after the U.S. Department of Justice released a tranche of documents related to Epstein. Brende himself acknowledged dining with Epstein on three occasions between 2018 and 2019.
Email and text communications with Epstein were also confirmed by Brende. However, he stated he was “completely unaware” of Epstein’s past criminal activities. The WEF concluded its review, noting in a statement that “there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”
Brende, who previously served as Norway’s foreign minister, also expressed regret for not investigating Epstein more thoroughly. The World Economic Forum is known for its annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland, a gathering that attracts prominent political figures and business leaders globally.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Brende revealed his decision to step down after more than eight years in his leadership role. He described the move as coming after “careful consideration.” Brende added, “I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”
Jeffrey Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor, resulting in his registration as a sex offender. It is important to note that inclusion in the Epstein files does not inherently signify criminal involvement, and Brende has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
WEF co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink acknowledged Brende’s “significant contributions” and stated they respected his decision. The organization has appointed Alois Zwinggi as interim president and CEO. The board of trustees is currently overseeing the process to select a permanent successor.
Zwinggi had previously held a position as a managing director within the WEF’s executive body. The recent release of Epstein-related files has led to scrutiny of numerous politicians, celebrities, business leaders, and members of royal families worldwide. These documents contain millions of private emails, images, and FBI reports pertaining to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
Norway, Brende’s home country, has seen several public figures associated with the controversy. Among them are Crown Princess Mette-Marit and diplomats Mona Juul and Terje Rød-Larsen. Earlier this month, former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland was charged with “gross corruption” in relation to his ties with Epstein, according to police reports.