Børge Brende has stepped down as president of the World Economic Forum following an internal review of his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The Davos organizer conducted the investigation after concerns emerged about Brende's previous interactions with the convicted sex offender. His departure marks a significant leadership change for the organization that hosts the annual gathering of global elites in Switzerland.

Brende had led the World Economic Forum since 2017, overseeing its expansion and managing relationships with heads of state, CEOs, and other influential figures. The forum's decision to review Brende's connections comes amid heightened scrutiny of organizations' ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The review process and its findings have not been publicly disclosed.

The timing of Brende's exit raises questions about the forum's vetting processes and governance standards. As the organization prepares for its next annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how leadership transitions are handled and whether additional transparency measures are implemented.