博尔格・布伦德于周四辞去世界经济论坛掌门人之职，此前论坛就他与杰弗里・爱泼斯坦的关系完成独立审查。这也是近期多名与这名已故性犯罪者有牵连的商界、政界高层接连辞职的最新一例。
布伦德是达沃斯年会的核心推动者，执掌世界经济论坛超八年，今年特朗普在论坛发表演讲后，他还曾对特朗普进行专访。
“经过慎重考虑，我决定辞去世界经济论坛总裁兼首席执行官一职。” 布伦德在声明中表示，“任职八年半的时光，收获满满。我们迎来了创纪录的合作伙伴加入，刚刚落幕的达沃斯年会也取得圆满成功，我们与全球各国政要的互动达到前所未有的深度。”
“我由衷感谢与同事、合作伙伴及各界同仁的精诚协作，我相信，此刻是论坛不受干扰、继续推进重要工作的最佳时机。” 他补充道。
在加入世界经济论坛前，布伦德曾担任挪威外交大臣，还在挪威政坛担任过其他要职。
世界经济论坛董事会联合主席安德烈・霍夫曼与拉里・芬克发表声明称，刚刚结束的独立审查显示，除此前已披露的内容外，未发现布伦德存在其他问题。
“我们衷心感谢博尔格・布伦德为世界经济论坛作出的卓越贡献。” 霍夫曼与芬克表示，“在论坛改革的关键时期，他的奉献与领导力发挥了关键作用，助力达沃斯年会圆满举办。我们尊重他辞职的决定。”
商界领袖阿洛伊斯・茨温吉将出任世界经济论坛临时总裁兼首席执行官，董事会将启动正式继任者的遴选工作。
美国司法部公布的爱泼斯坦案文件中出现了布伦德的名字，文件中的邮件与短信显示，2010 年代末，他曾多次与爱泼斯坦共进晚餐。
除社交活动外，两人还曾就与世界经济论坛相关的事务进行交流。
爱泼斯坦在 2018 年的一封邮件中写道：“达沃斯完全可以取代联合国。网络、加密货币、基因技术…… 全球协调。如今的问题需要解决分布式信任与互联网带来的负面影响。”
布伦德回复：“正是如此 —— 我们需要全新的全球治理架构。世界经济论坛(达沃斯)拥有独一无二的定位 —— 公私合作。”
Head of World Economic Forum resigns over ties to Epstein
Borge Brende stepped down as the head of the World Economic Forum Thursday following an independent review into his relationship withJeffrey Epstein, marking the latest departure in a string of high-profile resignations by business and government leaders who were associated with the late sex offender.
Brende, who was a driving force in the organization's annual meeting in Davos, led the WEF for more than eight years and recently interviewed PresidentDonald Trumpfollowing Trump's speech at the conference this year.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum," Brende said in a statement. "My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding. We have seen a record number of partners join us, and we have had a very successful Annual Meeting in Davos behind us, where we engaged with governmental leaders from all over the world like never before."
"I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions," he said.
Prior to his role at WEF, Brende served as Norway's Minister of ForeignAffairs and had other high-profile roles in Norwegian politics.
Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink -- co-chairs of WEF's board of trustees -- said that a just-concluded independent review of Brende's actions identified "no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed."
"We wish to express our sincere appreciation for Borge Brende's significant contributions to the World Economic Forum," Hoffmann and Fink said in a statement. "His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organization, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down."
Business leader Alois Zwinggi will serve as WEF's interim president and CEO while its board searches for a permanent successor.
Brende appears in theEpstein filesreleased by the U.S. Justice Department, and emails and text messages included in the files suggest he attended multiple dinners with Epstein in the late 2010s.
Beyond attending social events together, Epstein and Brende appeared to have discussed business related to the WEF.
"Davos can really replace the UN. cyber, crypto . genetics. . . intl coordination," Epstein wrote in a 2018 email. "Issues now need to deal with the distributed trust. and internet fallout."
"Exactly -- we need a new global architecture. World Economic Forum (Davos) is uniquely positioned -- public private," Brende responded.
