Thursday, October 1, 2026 - Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Wednesday that Norway’s cooperation with the International Peace Institute (IPI) had no connection to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking during a parliamentary hearing, Støre defended government funding for the think tank and said there was no information indicating that Epstein had participated in implementing Norwegian foreign or development policy.
The hearing follows the release of millions of Epstein-related documents by the U.S. Justice Department, which has prompted scrutiny of prominent figures in Norwegian public life.
Støre said IPI provided a useful platform for advancing Norwegian interests at the United Nations and reaching decision-makers. He also said the government entered into funding agreements because officials considered the cooperation beneficial to Norway.
The issue remains under parliamentary scrutiny as Norway examines its links with IPI and individuals associated with Epstein. Norway provided funding to IPI from 1997 to 2018, while the institute was led by Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen for much of that period.
Norwegian authorities have said the funding supported work related to the United Nations, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and other international policy issues.
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