Børge Brende, the former Norwegian Foreign Minister and head of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has stepped down from his role following emerging details about his prior communications with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Initially, Brende had denied any interactions with Epstein, claiming in a November statement to Aftenposten, 'I have had nothing to do with Epstein.' However, newly publicized Epstein files reveal that Brende had significant contact with Epstein, including dinners and over a hundred message exchanges, in which he referred to Epstein as 'my friend.'

The response from the WEF board, represented by Larry Fink and André Hoffmann, expressed gratitude for Brende's contributions during a pivotal reform period for the organization and acknowledged his leadership in successfully conducting the annual meeting in Davos. This resignation comes at a time when the WEF, an influential organization that brings together the world's top business and political leaders, is under scrutiny due to these revelations, raising questions about the implications of personal conduct on institutional reputations.

Brende’s tenure since 2017 had been marked by efforts to strengthen the WEF's purpose and outreach, but the recent backlash from the Epstein associations casts a shadow on his achievements. The situation underscores the broader issues of accountability and ethical standards in leadership positions, especially those tied to organizations that engage in high-level global discussions.