• The World Economic Forum announced an independent review into CEO Borge Brende's interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Brende will continue his duties but not participate in the investigation, which follows his mention in recently released US Justice Department documents.
  • The review signals institutional accountability amid broader scrutiny of elite vetting practices following the Epstein files release.

The World Economic Forum's governing board has tasked its audit and risk committee with conducting an independent investigation into chief executive Borge Brende's connections to Jeffrey Epstein, according to people familiar with the matter. The announcement came Thursday as the Geneva-based organization faces mounting questions about how its leadership engages with high-profile figures.

Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister who has led the WEF since 2017, was mentioned over 60 times in documents released by the US Justice Department under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The materials reveal Brende attended three business dinners with Epstein and exchanged subsequent emails and text messages with the financier. In one 2018 text message reviewed by investigators, Brende thanked Epstein for "a great dinner," while appointment logs indicate he planned to visit Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in June 2019.

"I was introduced to him as an American investor during a 2018 New York trip and was entirely unaware of his criminal history," Brende said in a statement obtained by sources close to the organization. "Had I known, I would never have met with him." The CEO acknowledged that more thorough due diligence would have been prudent and expressed regret for not conducting proper background checks.

Efforts to reach additional WEF board members for comment were unsuccessful Thursday evening, though one anonymous source within the organization confirmed the review would proceed "with transparency and efficiency." The investigation comes as the forum prepares for its annual Davos summit next month, where elite political, business and cultural leaders typically gather to shape international agendas.

While the Justice Department noted the released files were insufficient to bring cases against those mentioned, the revelations have exposed connections between Epstein and numerous European political figures. French culture and education minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline corresponded with Epstein regarding business ventures, prompting Caroline's resignation from her position as head of France's Independent Production Union. Norwegian former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland initially denied contact with Epstein when questioned by the Nobel Committee in 2019 but later acknowledged showing "poor judgment" after documented meetings surfaced.

The WEF's decision to conduct an independent review rather than immediately suspend its CEO reflects what one governance expert described as "a careful balancing act between accountability and operational continuity." Without a thorough investigation, the organization risked damaging its credibility among the global decision-makers it convenes annually.

As the audit committee begins its work, attention turns to what institutional changes might emerge regarding background checks for international business interactions. The Justice Department has indicated it possesses more than 1 million additional documents potentially related to the Epstein case, suggesting further revelations about prominent figures could surface in coming months. For now, the WEF maintains its commitment to addressing the matter while Brende continues leading the organization through what insiders describe as "uncharted territory" for the prestigious institution.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of times Brende was mentioned in Epstein documents. The correct figure is over 60 mentions, not approximately 50.