Active ESG Strategy Powers Aegon AM Sovereign Bond Fund Past €500 Million AuM

As COP30 renews global attention on sustainable finance, Aegon Asset Management (Aegon AM) today announces a major milestone: the Aegon Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond Fund (the Fund) has surpassed €500 million in assets under management (AuM)1.

 

This milestone exemplifies how institutional and wholesale investors can actively support sovereign transitions toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – and climate resilience – directly echoing COP30 priorities, from mobilizing finance at scale (including Baku–Belém Roadmap targets), to promoting just transitions, climate adaptation, and nature-integrated sustainable development.

 

It also underscores growing investor confidence in the Fund’s UN SDG-aligned approach, which targets financially resilient countries making measurable progress toward sustainability.

 

Launched in October 2022 during COP26, the Fund combines capital preservation with attractive yield opportunities, resonating strongly with institutional and wholesale investors across the UK and Europe. As a result, total AuM across Aegon AM’s broader Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond strategy now exceeds €2 billion2.

 

In a sovereign debt market where ESG data is complex and sovereign risk highly nuanced, active management has proven critical. The Fund’s success reflects a disciplined, research-driven investment process that embeds sustainability at its core – aligning sovereign bond portfolios with the UN SDGs.

 

Classified as an Article 9 product under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), the Fund is committed to sustainable investment objectives. Its global investment universe spans developed and emerging markets, offering broad diversification and exposure to sovereign and supranational issuers with credible sustainability trajectories.

 

In 2025, the Fund outperformed its benchmark by over 100 basis points3. This performance is driven by rigorous country-by-country analysis, dynamic risk management, and a transparent SDG-aligned methodology. The portfolio maintains an average credit rating of AA- and a duration of 7.5 years4, balancing quality with long-term return potential.

 

Gerard Moerman, Head of Liquid Assets at Aegon AM, said: “Investor interest in our Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond strategy continues to grow, driven by market dynamics, strong performance, and its sustainability focus. By aligning with the UN SDGs, we’re not only delivering financial resilience and attractive returns, but also contributing to the global transition toward a more sustainable future. As COP30 renews attention on climate action, we’re proud to contribute to ESG progress in sovereign debt markets while delivering resilient returns.”

 

Hari Patel, Business Development Manager at Aegon AM, added: “The Fund’s commercial success reflects strong demand for credible sovereign ESG strategies and recognition of Aegon AM’s sustainable fixed income expertise. It’s distinct UN SDG-aligned approach and strong performance have resonated with clients, and we’re excited to build on this momentum in 2026.”

 

About the Fund

The Aegon Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond Fund is designed for investors seeking transparent, impact-driven sovereign debt solutions. With a focus on active management, the Fund identifies sovereign and supranational issuers with strong fundamentals and credible sustainability trajectories.

 

For more information about the Aegon Global Sustainable Sovereign Bond Fund please visit the Aegon Asset Management Website.

 

1Source: Aegon Asset Management, September 2025
2Ibid
3Ibid
4Ibid

 

-Ends-

Notes for the editor

 

About Aegon Asset Management

Aegon Asset Management’s investment capabilities span public and private markets across fixed income, real assets, equities, and multi-asset platforms. Our 355 investment professionals serve a global client-base of sophisticated investors, managing and advising on assets of USD 376 billion (€321 / £275 bn), (as 30 June 2025). Across platforms, we share a common belief in fundamental, research-driven active management, underpinned by effective risk management and a commitment to responsible investment. Our 1,100 employees work across Europe, the Americas and Asia. To learn more, visit aegonam.com.

 

Media contacts:

Frank van den Berk

Head of Marketing and PR Continental Europe, Aegon Asset Management

+31 6 3090 6132 frank.vandenberk@aegonam.com

Louise Bryans

Senior Communications Manager, Aegon Asset Management

+44 (0) 7583 162 643 louise.bryans@aegonam.com

 

 

This document is for use by professional journalists. Its content is written for use in trade publications.

 

Past performance does not predict future returns. Outcomes, including the payment of income, are not guaranteed.

 

All investments contain risk and may lose value. Responsible investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria utilized, or judgement exercised, by any company of Aegon Asset Management will reflect the beliefs or values of any one particular investor. Responsible investing norms differ by region. There is no assurance that the responsible investing strategy and techniques employed will be successful. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.

 

Opinions and/or example trades/securities represent our understanding of markets both current and historical and are used to promote Aegon Asset Management's investment management capabilities: they are not investment recommendations, research or advice. Sources used are deemed reliable by Aegon Asset Management at the time of writing. Please note that this marketing is not prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing by Aegon Asset Management or its employees ahead of its publication.

 

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This document is issued by Aegon Asset Management UK plc in the United Kingdom and is issued by Aegon Investment Management B.V. in the European Union and European Economic Area. Aegon Asset Management NL is a trading name of Aegon Investment Management B.V.

 

Aegon Asset Management Luxembourg RAIF Funds is a reserved alternative investment fund (Fonds d'Investissement Alternatif Réservé) in the form of a public limited liability company with variable capital established and existing under the Luxembourg law. It is structured as an umbrella fund, including a number of ring-fenced sub-funds and as of today two of the sub-funds have been notified to the CSSF: Aegon IG Insured Credit Fund (notified on 29 September 2022) and Aegon Capital Call Finance Fund (notified on 7 February 2025). Carne Global Fund Managers (Luxembourg) S.A. has been appointed as the alternative investment fund manager of the RAIF (AIFM) and its sub-funds and Aegon Investment Management B.V. has been further delegated by the AIFM to act as the investment manager of the RAIF and its sub-funds. The RAIF and its sub-funds are not directly subject to the regulatory supervision of the CSSF. As per common Luxembourg practice, regulatory oversight is performed via supervision on the licensed Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) of the Fund, who is required to disclose to the CSSF the Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs, including RAIFs) as well as their sub-funds, that it manages and deposit the relevant fund documents with the CSSF. The authorised, licensed and supervised AIFM also must ensure that the RAIF managed by it complies with all AIFMD requirements applicable, including amongst others, the appointment of a depositary and an independent auditor. In this sense, a RAIF is an indirectly regulated fund in Luxembourg.

 

Exp: 12 November 2026

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