We took transparency to the next level in 2021 by publishing all of our voting intentions five days before the general meetings. We screened the entire portfolio against the expectations, we presented our views at 2,628 company meetings, and we voted at 11,601 shareholder meetings. That is how active ownership creates value for the fund.
Chief Governance and Compliance Officer Carine Smith Ihenacho presented the highlights of the Responsible investment report 2021. Thereafter, CEO Nicolai Tangen and Deputy CEO Trond Grande gave a brief update on the current market situation.
Voting is one of the most important tools we have as a shareholder for safeguarding the fund's assets. We voted at 11,601 shareholder meetings in 2021.
We aim to vote at all shareholder meetings at companies in our portfolio. We voted at 97.1 percent of the company shareholder meetings in 2021.
As a long term investor, we engage in regular dialogue with our largest companies. The aim is to promote good corporate governance and responsible business practices.
In 2021, we divested from 52 companies following assessment of environmental, social and governance risks. Altogether, we have divested from 366 companies since 2012.
Norges Bank makes decisions on the observation and exclusion of companies after receiving a recommendation from the Council of Ethics. Norges Bank excluded 12 companies in 2021.
