The Government Pension Fund

Large petroleum revenues have resulted in substantial financial assets in the Government Pension Fund. The purpose of the Government Pension Fund is to facilitate government savings necessary to meet the rapid rise in public pension expenditures in the coming years, and to support a long-term management of petroleum revenues.

The Government Pension Fund

The Government Pension Fund was established in 2006 and consists of two parts: "The Government Pension Fund - Global", which is a continuation of the Petroleum Fund, and "The Government Pension Fund - Norway", which was previously known as the National Insurance Scheme Fund. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the management of the Government Pension Fund. The operational management of the Pension Fund - Global is carried out by Norges Bank, which invests the fund’s capital in bonds and equities outside of Norway in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry. The operational management of the Pension Fund – Norway is carried out by Folketrygdfondet.

 

Norway’s position in the debate on Sovereign Wealth Funds

The international debate has revealed some scepticism towards Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF). Norway’s Government Pension Fund – Global is a tool to manage our petroleum wealth wisely and avoid the “resource curse”. From this it follows that the Fund is large and that it is invested overseas. A sensible management of oil-producing countries’ petroleum wealth in well-functioning financial markets is in everyone’s interest.

Presentation of the Government Pension Fund - Global in the National Budget 2008

The National Budget 2008 includes a presentation of the Government Pension Fund - Global. Links to the presentation of the fund is available here.

The Management of the Government Pension Fund - Global

The Government Pension Fund Act assigns the management of the Fund to the Ministry of Finance. The operational management of the Government Pension Fund – Global is carried out by Norges Bank while the Government Pension Fund – Norway is handled by Folketrygdfondet.

Investment Strategy

The Ministry of Finance’s principal guidelines for the two funds is the key driver of the Fund’s risk/return profile.

Performance of the Government Pension Fund - Global

Key figures, evaluation and reports by Norges Bank.

Provisions on the management of the Government Pension Fund - Global

The Government Pension Fund Act assigns the management of the Fund to the Ministry of Finance. The operational management of the Government Pension Fund – Global is carried out by Norges Bank. The management regime is governed by Regulations No. 1725 of 22 December 2005, guidelines containing supplementary provisions and by a management agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Norges Bank.

Ethical Guidelines for the Government Pension Fund - Global

Ethical guidelines were established for the Government Pension Fund – Global on 19 November 2004. The guidelines build on recommendations made by the government-appointed Graver Committee which presented its report in summer 2003.

The Norwegian Experience

The oil age in Norway has spanned 30 years and it appears that it will continue for many years ahead. Petroleum activities give Norway an economic base that is not available to many other countries. But it also presents us with challenges. The establishment of the Government Pension Fund and the spending guidelines for petroleum revenues together with the monetary policy regulation are intended to meet these challenges.

The Investment Strategy Council

The 29th of September 2005 the Ministry of Finance’s appointed an advisory council on investment strategy for the Petroleum Fund. The Government Pension Fund Bill, no. 2 (2005-2006), states that the advisory council will continue as advisor to the Government Pension Fund – Global.

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