The Impact of the Economic Sanctions on Russia

Part of 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission – in the Senedd at 3:14 pm on 16 March 2022.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:14, 16 March 2022

Could I thank Peter Fox and assure him that we will undertake to work with the pension board to ensure that all the investments are ethical investments? Obviously, the Welsh Government itself, through the economic contract it has with businesses, is driving a values-led economy, and we as Commissioners are also keen to make sure that, where we invest, we invest in businesses—primarily in Wales when we can, but businesses elsewhere as well—that have sound ethical foundations to them. There is a particular section on the intranet, the statement from the board, which states that,

'In March 2022, in line with the investment manager's fair value pricing policy, the decision was  taken by the investment manager to mark this holding'— that being that tiny Russian element of holdings—

'at zero.'

That indicates that the board are working very, very closely with Aviva's experts to ensure that no money can be invested in Russian entities. It would be absolutely wrong at this moment in time, as you say, to invest in any Russian businesses, and so Commissioners and the pension board are very alive to the need to make sure that all investments are carried out in an ethical way and invested in businesses that are ethical as well.