Borge Brende, who became president of the WEF in 2017, announced his decision on Thursday in a statement following disclosures from the US Justice Department that showed the Norwegian had three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with the disgraced financier via email and text message.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning eight-and-a-half years, has been profoundly rewarding," he said.
"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," said Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister.
Brende made no mention of Epstein.
In a separate statement, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the Geneva-based forum that organises the annual Davos summit, said the independent review by outside counsel into Brende's ties with Epstein had concluded.
The findings stated there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed, it said.
The co-chairs said the WEF's Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO, and that the forum's Board of Trustees will oversee the leadership transition, including a plan to drive a process to identify a permanent successor.
