CEO of World Economic Forum steps down after review of Epstein ties

Børge Brende announced on February 26 that he is stepping down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), weeks after the organisation launched an independent review into his past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Brende, who has led the Geneva-based forum since 2017, made the announcement following disclosures by the U.S. Department of Justice showing that he had three business dinners with Epstein and had communicated with him by email and text message, Caliber.Az reports per Reuters. 

"After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding," Brende said.

The statement made no mention of Epstein.

"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," added Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister.

Brende has previously said he was unaware of Epstein's past and criminal activities before first meeting him in 2018 and that he regretted not having investigated him more thoroughly.

In a separate statement, WEF co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink said the independent review conducted by outside counsel into Brende's ties with Epstein had concluded. The findings stated there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed, they said.

The Justice Department has released more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein, intensifying global attention on his associations. 

By Sabina Mammadli