The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) has received a new alert regarding the International Peace Institute (IPI) through its external reporting channel. This new alert bears striking similarities to a previous alert received in 2019, concerning connections between IPI and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The primary difference highlighted by the Ministry is that while the 2019 alert stemmed from a first-hand source, the current alert is based on hearsay information from a second-hand source.

In 2019, the Ministry acted on an alert that connected IPI's former President, Terje Rød-Larsen, with Epstein, who had maintained a relationship with Rød-Larsen over several years. The issues raised in the 2019 alert led to scrutiny of IPI and its leadership, exposing potential ethical concerns regarding its operations and affiliations. As such, this new alert is significant not merely for its content but for the ongoing implications it holds for IPI’s reputation and governance.

While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assessed the new alert, it has decided not to forward it further, citing the lack of new information. This decision suggests a careful approach in addressing past allegations while also indicating the challenges in verifying such sensitive claims, especially when they originate from unverified sources. The ongoing attention on IPI, exacerbated by historical connections to Epstein’s scandal, underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in international peace organizations.