• Borge Brende resigns as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum amid scrutiny over ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Brende did not mention Epstein in his resignation statement, which highlighted the need for the Forum to remain focused.
• An independent investigation conducted by the WEF found no new concerning information regarding Brende's ties to Epstein.
• Alois Zwinggi has been appointed as interim president and CEO while the search for a permanent successor begins.
• The scrutiny is part of broader investigations into Epstein's connections with numerous political and business leaders.

Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his resignation on Thursday following scrutiny regarding his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who had been in this role since 2017, cited the need for the Forum to continue its important work "without distractions," according to Reuters and India Times.

Brende's decision followed disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department revealing that he had attended three business dinners with Epstein and communicated through emails and text messages. "My time here, spanning 8½ years, has been profoundly rewarding," Brende said, while making no reference to Epstein in his statement, as reported by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The Forum's co-chairs, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, stated that an independent review regarding Brende's associations with Epstein had concluded, affirming no new concerns beyond what was already known. "We appreciate Borge Brende's significant contributions to the World Economic Forum," they noted, according to Le Monde and Anadolu Agency.

Alois Zwinggi has been appointed as the interim president and CEO, while the Board of Trustees will undertake the process of selecting a permanent successor for Brende, as emphasized in statements from both WEF co-chairs. The investigation is part of a broader scrutiny involving Epstein's connections with high-profile figures, affecting various sectors, including politics and business South China Morning Post and Le Monde.