Reviews IMF special drawing rights proposals to stabilize international financial relations by pooling international gold and currency reserves to serve as assets backing national currencies.

On June 25, the Executive Board discussed a proposal for a historic US$650 billion general allocation of SDRs to address the long-term global need to supplement existing reserve assets. Following concurrence by the Executive Board on July 8, the Managing Director submitted the proposal to the Board of Governors on July 9 for its approval by August 2. If approved, which requires an 85 percent majority of the total voting power, the allocation would become effective by the end of August. The proposal makes a case for an allocation of US$650 billion (about SDR 456 billion), based on an assessment of IMF member countries’ long-term global reserve needs. It also includes measures to enhance the transparency and accountability in the reporting and use of SDRs while preserving the reserve asset characteristic of the SDR. The general allocation would help many EMDCs that are liquidity constrained smooth needed adjustment and avoid distortionary policies, while providing scope for spending on crisis response and vaccines.

Considers S. 3423 and companion H.R. 16911, to establish a special drawing rights fund within IMF.

The adequacy of international liquidity became a problem of increasing concern to the international community during the 1960's. In response, the IMF proposed a new facility, based on Special Drawing Rights, which took effect on October 3, 1969. This new facility, referred to in this publication, was established within the Fund as its Special Drawing Account, through which the new supplement to reserve assets, in the form of special drawing rights, could be allocated.