Børge Brende is a prominent Norwegian politician, diplomat, and business executive who has served as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2017. Born on September 25, 1965, in Trondheim, Norway, he began his career in politics as a member of the Conservative Party (Høyre). He entered the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) representing Sør-Trøndelag in 1997 and served until 2009. During his parliamentary tenure, he held several key ministerial positions, including Minister of the Environment (2001-2004), where he focused on climate policy and sustainable development; Minister of Trade and Industry (2004-2005), promoting economic growth and international trade; and most significantly, Minister of Foreign Affairs (2013-2017), navigating Norway's foreign policy amid global challenges. Prior to his WEF presidency, he was involved with the organization as Managing Director since 2009. Brende's career reflects a blend of national politics and global diplomacy, positioning him as a key figure in networks connecting governments, businesses, and NGOs. He is known for his advocacy on sustainable development goals and fostering public-private partnerships, with no major public controversies documented in major sources.