a.s.r. creates exception to invest in Dutch defence industry

Written by Adam Cadle

09/12/2024

a.s.r. has made a change to its policy on responsible investments, allowing investments in Dutch companies or activities related to the defence industry under strict conditions.

This decision follows a call from the Dutch government for institutional investors to provide capital to strengthen the European defence industry.

With this policy change, a.s.r. responds to the call to contribute to a safer world and democratic values through targeted investments. a.s.r. can deviate from its exclusion policy under strict conditions. These conditions are:

• Investments may only be made in defense companies based in the Netherlands;
• Investments may only be made in companies that are not involved in the production or distribution of controversial weapons or civilian firearms;
• Investments may only be made in companies that do not supply high risk countries (as defined in the IRBC Framework on Controversial Weapons and Trade in Weapons with High-Risk Countries);
• All investments are to be made at a.s.r.’s own account and risk;
• Any investment proposal must be reviewed by a.s.r. Veiligheidszaken and approved by the management board of a.s.r., following the advice of the a.s.r. sustainable committee;
• Compliance with the conditions related to controversial weapons, civilian firearms, or high-risk countries will be monitored annually.

Jos Baeten, CEO at a.s.r, said: “In the current situation, with increasing geopolitical tensions and global stability and security under pressure, there is growing political pressure and societal demand for a strong and robust Dutch and European defence industry. a.s.r. feels a moral responsibility and sees opportunities to contribute through targeted investments within the Netherlands, under strict conditions. We hereby respond to the call from politics and the Government to invest in Europe’s security, driven by changing geopolitical circumstances.”

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