The President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Borge Brende, announced his resignation on the 26th, following an investigation into his connections with the late American businessman Jeffrey Epstein, who faced serious allegations including sex crimes against minors. Brende stated, after careful consideration, he decided to resign, without specifically mentioning Epstein. Having held various prominent positions in Norway including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Brende became the President of WEF in 2017, and his departure marks a significant change in the leadership of the organization.

According to reports, including those by Reuters, investigation documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice in January indicated that Brende and Epstein had met three times between 2018 and 2019 and exchanged emails. In response, the WEF initiated an independent investigation led by external lawyers, and Brende claimed he was unaware of Epstein's criminal history. The WEF's co-chairman remarked that the independent inquiry had concluded, reporting that no additional concerns were raised beyond what had already been disclosed.

The documents related to Epstein’s investigations revealed names of several significant figures in European political and business circles, and as the implications of these revelations unfold, there has been a wave of resignations among individuals who are associated with Epstein. Brende's resignation is part of a broader reevaluation of ties to Epstein as high-profile connections are increasingly scrutinized and tested in the court of public opinion.