World Economic Forum President and Chief Executive Børge Brende has announced his resignation from the prominent global organisation, stepping down amidst mounting pressure concerning his past associations with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement was made on Thursday, 26th February 2026, with Brende citing a desire to allow the Forum to continue its work without distractions.
Pressure Over Epstein Contacts Leads to Departure
Brende, who previously served as Norway's Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2017, confirmed his decision to step down following careful consideration. In an official statement released by the World Economic Forum, Brende expressed gratitude for his collaborations with colleagues, partners, and constituents, while emphasising that the timing was appropriate for the organisation to move forward without ongoing controversies.
Internal Review and Findings
The resignation comes after the World Economic Forum initiated an internal review earlier this month to investigate Brende's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This review was prompted by recently released files indicating that Brende and Epstein had dined together on multiple occasions and exchanged messages. Brende had previously addressed these allegations in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, stating that he had only encountered Epstein in professional business settings and was unaware of Epstein's criminal background at the time.
WEF co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink released a concurrent statement confirming that an independent review conducted by external counsel has concluded. The findings indicated that there were no additional concerns beyond what had already been publicly disclosed regarding Brende's interactions with Epstein.
Interim Leadership and Ongoing Scrutiny
Following Brende's departure, Alois Zwinggi has been appointed as the interim President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. Brende's resignation marks him as one of several prominent Norwegian figures who have faced increased scrutiny following the latest disclosures from the Epstein files. Although Brende did not directly reference the controversy in his resignation statement, the pressure surrounding his Epstein connections has been widely acknowledged as a significant factor in his decision to step down from his leadership role at the organisation renowned for its annual Davos summit in Switzerland.
