22. The SWF should have a framework that identifies, assesses, and manages the risks of its operations.
22.1. The risk management framework should include reliable information and timely reporting systems, which should enable the adequate monitoring and management of relevant risks within acceptable parameters and levels, control and incentive mechanisms, codes of conduct, business continuity planning, and an independent audit function.
22.2. The general approach to the SWF’s risk management framework should be publicly disclosed.
The Petroleum Fund Law requires the Ministry of Finance and the Operational Manager to develop and maintain policies, systems and procedures to ensure that the risks associated with the implementation of the investment strategy are identified, monitored and managed.
The BCTL has developed an operational risk management framework for the Petroleum Fund. This includes a risk register that identifies the section which owns the risk and the associated internal controls. The BCTL’s Internal Audit area, which is independent from its investment management area, monitors and ensures that procedures are being followed and there is an effective framework in place. All the staff of the BCTL are bound by its Code of Conduct.
The financial risk in the Petroleum Fund’s strategy is embedded in the Fund’s investment policy that is set by the Ministry of Finance, specifically the parameters for the global mandate and the investment mandates included in Annex 1 of the Operational Management Agreement. The appropriate level of financial risk is assessed during regular asset allocation reviews. The Ministry of Finance is required to present the investment policy to the Parliament on an annual basis as part of the Petroleum Fund Annual Report or prior to making any changes to the Fund’s principal asset allocation.
The BCTL manages the global mandate, which is comprised of individual mandates with specific allocations. There is periodic rebalancing of the Growth Portfolio and transfers from the Growth Portfolio to the Liquidity Portfolio. The BCTL also monitors the compliance of the external managers with their risk targets. The BCTL reports on compliance to the Ministry of Finance in the quarterly performance report.
The Ministry of Finance monitors the Fund’s performance including its risk exposure through the BCTL’s quarterly performance reports. The Ministry of Finance reports to the Parliament on an annual basis through the Petroleum Fund Annual Reports.
Sources:
Operational Management Agreement
Petroleum Fund Quarterly and Annual Reports