World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende resigned on February 26, 2026, following revelations of past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, as disclosed in U.S. Department of Justice documents released in late January this year. Brende, who served as president and CEO since 2017, stated his decision aimed to prevent disruptions to the organization's operations.
The WEF confirmed that an independent external investigation, launched on February 5, found no new issues beyond publicly known details of Brende's three business dinners and electronic communications with Epstein. Board member Alois Zwinggi will assume interim leadership while the forum seeks a permanent successor.
In a farewell statement, Brende called his tenure "profoundly rewarding," emphasizing the WEF's recent reforms and successful annual Davos meeting. Co-Chairs Andre Hoffman and Larry Fink praised his contributions, noting his role in navigating a "pivotal period" for the organization.
The resignation underscores heightened scrutiny of institutional ties to Epstein, whose criminal network continues to reverberate across global leadership circles. Analysts suggest the transition may test the WEF's crisis management protocols ahead of key 2026 initiatives on economic resilience and climate collaboration.
