The President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced his resignation after emails linked him to Jeffrey Epstein were released.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8½ years, has been profoundly rewarding,” WEF head Borge Brende said in a statement. “We have seen a record number of partners join us, and we have had a very successful Annual Meeting in Davos behind us, where we engaged with governmental leaders from all over the world like never before. I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”
André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, the co-chairs of the WEF, thanked Brende for his “dedication and leadership” for the WEF. “We respect his decision to step down,” they said, adding, “The independent review conducted by outside counsel has concluded. The findings stated that there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”
Swiss businessman Alois Zwinggi will now serve as Interim President and CEO.
Earlier this month, the WEF opened an investigation into Brende. Disclosures revealed that Brende participated in business dinners with Epstein.
Brende explained at the time that he received an invitation from former Norwegian deputy prime minister Terje Rod-Larsen in 2018 to join him and other leaders for a dinner, where Epstein was presented as an “American investor.”
“The following year, I attended two similar dinners with Epstein, alongside other diplomats and business leaders. These dinners, and a few emails and SMS messages, were the extent of my interactions with him,” he said. “I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities.”
