Norway lifts its wealth fund's prohibition on Syrian government bonds

Norway is preparing to lift the restrictions that bar its sovereign wealth fund, with $2.2tn in assets, from investing in Syrian government bonds, according to a government document reported in April 2026.

The Norwegian fund is the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, and the decision marks a further step in Syria's re-entry into the global financial system.

Norway separately intends to prohibit the fund from investing in Iranian government bonds — a move reports describe as largely symbolic given the sanctions already imposed on Iran.