Børge Brende

Børge Brende
Brende in 2024
President and CEO of the World Economic Forum
In office
23 October 2017 – 26 February 2026
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
16 October 2013 – 20 October 2017
Prime MinisterErna Solberg
Preceded byEspen Barth Eide
Succeeded byIne Eriksen Søreide
Minister of Trade and Industry
In office
18 June 2004 – 17 October 2005
Prime MinisterKjell Magne Bondevik
Preceded byAnsgar Gabrielsen
Succeeded byOdd Eriksen
Minister of the Environment
In office
19 October 2001 – 18 June 2004
Prime MinisterKjell Magne Bondevik
Preceded bySiri Bjerke
Succeeded byKnut Arild Hareide
Member of the Norwegian Parliament
In office
1 October 1997 – 30 September 2009
DeputyLinda Hofstad Helleland (2001–2005)
ConstituencySør-Trøndelag
First Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
In office
10 April 1994 – 29 March 1998
LeaderJan Petersen
Preceded byJohn G. Bernander
Succeeded byInge Lønning
Leader of the Young Conservatives
In office
26 June 1988 – 24 June 1990
DeputyElisabeth Aspaker
Jan Tore Sanner
Preceded byTrond Helleland
Succeeded byJan Tore Sanner
Personal details
Born (1965-09-25) 25 September 1965
Odda Municipality, Hordaland, Norway
PartyConservative
SpouseTorild M. Brende
Children2
Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Børge Brende (born 25 September 1965) is a Norwegian politician and diplomat. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2013 to 2017, Minister of the Environment from 2001 to 2004 and Minister of Trade and Industry from 2004 to 2005. He was a member of the Norwegian parliament from Sør-Trøndelag from 1997 and 2009. He was the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum from 2017 to 2026.[1] He resigned from the WEF on 26 February 2026 in light of the Epstein files controversy.[2],[3][4][5][6]

Career

Brende has a degree in economics, law and history from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway.[7]

In January 2008, Brende joined the World Economic Forum as managing director, particularly in charge of relations with governments and civil society. In 2009, Brende joined the Norwegian Red Cross as Secretary General.[8] He re-joined the World Economic Forum in 2011 as managing director.[9] From 2009 to 2011 Brende was Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross.[10]

Minister of Foreign Affairs (2013–2017)

In October 2014, Brende – in his capacity as Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) – co-hosted the Cairo Conference on Palestine, an international donor conference on reconstructing the Gaza Strip, which garnered $5.4 billion in pledges.[11]

In 2015, Brende negotiated an interim agreement between Norway and the other coastal states in the Arctic – Canada, Denmark (on behalf of its territory of Greenland), Russia and the United States – on prohibiting commercial fishing in the increasingly ice-free international waters of the Arctic.[12]

In January 2016, Brende was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the High-level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every Child.[13]

As Foreign Minister of Norway, Brende normalised diplomatic relations with China, after ties had been set back in 2010 following Chinese anger over the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize being handed to imprisoned Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo (1955–2017).[14]

Norwegian political scientist Iver B. Neumann characterised Brende as a very weak foreign minister, calling him the weakest since Jan Petersen (2001–2005).[15]

Researchers Halvard Leira and Nina Græger argued that Brende appeared as a narrower, more reactive “minister of diplomacy” who has focused on specific political and personal relationships. They said Brende appeared both obscure and inaccessible, stating he was "not only absent from Norway, but was also largely absent from foreign policy".[16][15]

World Economic Forum

On 15 September 2017, it was announced that Brende will be the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum from mid-October 2017.[17]

As President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Brende promoted the idea of a Group of Three to include China, India, and the United States in 2023.[18]

Brende resigned from the World Economic Forum on February 26, 2026, in light of the Epstein files controversy.[19][20] He stated that he had decided to step down as President and CEO of the WEF after careful consideration, and that he believed it was the right time for the Forum to continue its "important work without distractions".[20]

As of February 2026, Swiss authorities were investigating whether the World Economic Forum had broken the law by paying around 19 million NOK to CEO Brende in salary. This was 3 million NOK more than he reportedly earned the previous year.[21] The reason why salaries can be problematic is that WEF as a non-profit organisation is tax-exempt, and that excessive remuneration to board members or managers of non-profit foundations could potentially be considered illicit enrichment, according to the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ).[21]

Brende was mentioned in the Epstein files, with communications taking place in his time as head of the World Economic Forum.[22] Brende claimed that he in 2019, when Jeffrey Epstein was arrested, had informed the World Economic Forum about his contact with him. Following the revelations from the Epstein Files, World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab rejected Brende's claims that he had informed WEF, and stated he considered legal action. He added that he at no time was informed verbally or in writing of facts or concerns related to Brende's relationships with Epstein.[23][24]

In 2019, after the WEF and the United Nations signed an agreement, Brende visited Jeffrey Epstein the same day. Schwab's spokesman told the Norwegian press that he would never have tolerated such contact.[25] Brende also garnered controversy by suggesting the World Economic Forum could replace the United Nations in his communications with Jeffrey Epstein.[26][27]

In February 2026, the World Economic Forum started an independent investigation of Brende as president and CEO. The goal of this investigation was to clarify his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.[28] On February 26, 2026 Brende stepped down as the CEO of World Economic Forum after the forum started the investigation into Brende's ties with Epstein.[29]

Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

Brende was criticised for his communications with Jeffrey Epstein between 2018 and 2019. This happened following the U.S. Department of Justice publishing over 3 million pages per the Epstein Files Transparency Act on 30 January 2026.[30] Prior to the release of the additional files, Brende had in November 2025 denied ever having met Epstein.[31] Brende has since stated he did not know Epstein's criminal background, and that they only met over three formal dinners over two years.[32] The Epstein files show that Brende and Epstein corresponded numerous times between 2018 and 2019.[33]

The revelation of these messages garnered scrutiny from the leader of the Conservative Party, and former Prime Minister during Brende's tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erna Solberg, and the leader of the Liberal Party, Guri Melby.[34] On 1 February 2026, Erna Solberg stated she only knew what was stated in media and that it appeared obviously unwise.[34][35] She also stated that the Conservative Party in no way shares the idea that the World Economic Forum can replace the UN.[34]

The leader of the Liberal Party, Guri Melby, reacted strongly to the communications between Epstein and Brende, calling it "grotesque".[35][34] She told Norwegian news outlet TV2: "Brende knew exactly who Epstein was and yet sits there eagerly nodding to his visions of global power. It's completely incomprehensible."[36] Brende claims these messages are taken out of context.[37]

Brende is also pictured in the Epstein files alongside Steve Bannon and former Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen in a picture sent by Epstein in April 2018.[33]

Brende has received criticism for explaining away his connection to Epstein. He has claimed he was completely unaware of his criminal actions and past, but the Epstein Files show that he sent a thumbs up emoji to a link Epstein sent him of his criminal sentence.[38] Brende claimed he was "completely unaware" of this link and never opened it. Communications between Epstein and Brende also show them ridiculing the wife of Benjamin Netanyahu, Sara Netanyahu, calling her "Miss Piggy". Brende said he did not remember these messages.[39][27] Brende stated in November 2025 that he had "nothing to do with Epstein".[40] The Epstein Files showed that they had exchanged 120 messages and met on several occasions.[27][41] Brende has frequently amended his explanations faced with new evidence of his communications with Epstein.[42][5]

On 26 February, Brende resigned from his position at the World Economic Forum.[2]

Other activities

International organizations

Corporate boards

  • Statoil, Member of the Board (2012–2013)
  • Mesta, Chairman of the Board (2009–2011)

Non-profit organizations

Recognition

Personal life

Brende is married and has two sons.

See also

References

  1. ^ Norway’s Børge Brende joins World Economic Forum, 15 September 2017, The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Skifjeld, Anne (26 February 2026). "Børge Brende går av som sjef for Verdens økonomiske forum etter Epstein-kontakt" (in Norwegian Bokmål). NRK. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  3. ^ "World Economic Forum boss Borge Brende quits after review of Jeffrey Epstein links". www.bbc.com. 2026-02-26. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  4. ^ "World Economic Forums tidligere leder med storslegge mot Børge Brende. Truer med rettssak". www.aftenposten.no. February 5, 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Børge Brende nekter for kjennskap til Epsteins «fortid»". NRK. February 2, 2026.
  6. ^ "Børge Brende nekter for kjennskap til kriminell bakgrunn". Dagbladet.
  7. ^ "Børge Brende | Global Financing Facility". www.globalfinancingfacility.org.
  8. ^ "Børge Brende blir Røde Kors-sjef". Aftenposten.no. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Norwegian Red Cross Chief to Join World Economic Forum". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Norway FM Brende named new World Economic Forum president". The Local Norway. 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  11. ^ Michael R. Gordon (October 12, 2014), Conference Pledges $5.4 Billion to Rebuild Gaza Strip, The New York Times.
  12. ^ Steven Lee Myers (July 16, 2015), Sea Warming Leads to Ban on Fishing in the Arctic, The New York Times.
  13. ^ UN Secretary-General Announces Members of the High-Level Advisory Group for Every Woman Every Child Archived 2016-08-28 at the Wayback Machine Every Woman Every Child, press release of 21 January 2016.
  14. ^ Kolstadbråten, Inger Marit (December 19, 2016). "Forholdet mellom Kina og Norge normaliseres". NRK.
  15. ^ a b Mikkelsen, Sigurd Falkenberg (September 15, 2017). "– Børge Brende har vært en svært svak utenriksminister". NRK.
  16. ^ "Forskere slakter Børge Brendes innsats som utenriksminister". Forskning.no. March 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "Norway's Børge Brende joins World Economic Forum". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  18. ^ Kumar, Manoj (28 August 2023). "India, China, and the U.S. Will Lead the New World Order".
  19. ^ Loe, Isak Løve Pilskog; Ali, Intisaar (February 26, 2026). "Børge Brende trekker seg som sjef i WEF". VG.
  20. ^ a b Skifjeld, Anne (February 26, 2026). "Børge Brende går av som sjef for Verdens økonomiske forum". NRK.
  21. ^ a b Kværnes, Martin (February 3, 2026). "Sveitsiske myndigheter ser nærmere på Brendes lønn". DN.no.
  22. ^ Vartdal, Ragnhild (2026-02-02). "Dette er Jeffrey Epstein sitt norske nettverk". NRK (in Norwegian Nynorsk). Retrieved 2026-02-02.
  23. ^ Wig, Karl; Gjerstad, Tore; Kværnes, Martin (February 5, 2026). "World Economic Forum-grunnleggeren hardt ut mot president Børge Brende". DN.no.
  24. ^ Røsvik, Eirik; Johnsen, Alf Bjarne (February 5, 2026). "WEF-grunnlegger hardt ut mot Brende". VG.
  25. ^ Elías, Foto: UN Photo/Manuel (February 10, 2026). "Børge Brende skrev under avtale i FN. Senere dro han hjem til Epstein". www.aftenposten.no.
  26. ^ Ask, Mathias (February 3, 2026). "FN avviser Brende og Epsteins Davos-utsagn". TV 2.
  27. ^ a b c Bø, Emma; Jordheim, Hans M.; Ro, Hans Jørgen Myrvang (February 5, 2026). "Brendes meldinger med Epstein: «Missing you Sir»". E24.
  28. ^ "WEF überprüft Verbindung seines CEO Børge Brende mit Jeffrey Epstein". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF).
  29. ^ Wearden, Graeme (February 26, 2026). "World Economic Forum CEO quits after Epstein links examined; Ineos Quattro earnings fall – as it happened" – via www.theguardian.com.
  30. ^ "Office of Public Affairs | Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. January 30, 2026.
  31. ^ "I november avviste Børge Brende kontakt med Epstein. Så kom dokumentene". www.aftenposten.no. February 2, 2026.
  32. ^ Glørstad, Venke (February 2, 2026). "Børge Brende om sitt forhold til Epstein". NRK.
  33. ^ a b "Børge Brende spiste middag med Epstein". e24.no. January 31, 2026.
  34. ^ a b c d "Solberg om Brendes kontakt med Epstein: – Åpenbart uklokt". www.finansavisen.no (in Norwegian). 1 February 2026.
  35. ^ a b Hegland, Vemund (1 February 2026). "Fremstår åpenbart uklokt". Dagbladet (in Norwegian Bokmål).
  36. ^ Schjønberg, Snorre (February 1, 2026). "Melby om Brendes kontakt med Epstein: – Groteskt". TV 2.
  37. ^ "Brende og Epstein tekstet om kona til Netanyahu: «Miss Piggy»". TV 2. February 1, 2026.
  38. ^ AS, TV 2 (January 31, 2026). "Dokumenter: Brende og Epstein diskuterte Davos, kvinne og overgrepssaken". TV 2.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "Brende spiste middag med Epstein i 2018". dagsavisen. January 31, 2026.
  40. ^ "I november avviste Børge Brende kontakt med Epstein. Så kom dokumentene". www.aftenposten.no. February 2, 2026.
  41. ^ "Forsker om Epstein-avsløringene: Elitepersoner bør være tydelige på å innrømme feil og fortelle alt de vet" [Researcher on the Epstein revelations: Elite individuals should be clear about admitting mistakes and telling everything they know]. www.forskning.no (in Norwegian).
  42. ^ "Men ikke i Genève!". e24.no. February 7, 2026.
  43. ^ Board of Governors Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
  44. ^ Board of Governors Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), World Bank Group.
  45. ^ Board of Governors World Bank.
  46. ^ Steering Committee Deprecated link archived 2014-05-21 at archive.today Bilderberg Group.
  47. ^ Strategic Committee Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA).
  48. ^ Board of Directors P4G – Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030.
  49. ^ Europe Policy Group World Economic Forum.
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