MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN

MINISTRY OF CITIZENSHIP OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL,

MINISTRY OF SPORT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION,

MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA,

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF SPORT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA,

AND

DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORT

The Ministry of Citizenship of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India, the General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”, and individually as the “Party”,

DESIRING to strengthen the mutual trust, friendly relations, and equal cooperation between the Parties in the field of physical culture and sport;

CONSIDERING the need to develop and foster relations in the field of physical culture and sport as a means to contribute to the achievement of sustainable social and economic development of the citizens of BRICS countries;

NOTING THE INTEREST of the Parties in organization of joint sports events and of their positive impact in the BRICS countries;

RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE of establishing mechanisms that contribute to the strengthening of cooperation between the Parties and the need to carry out specific programs of cooperation and exchange in the field of physical culture and sport,

Hereby agree as follows:

1. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to strengthen and to develop the cooperation in the field of physical culture and sport within the framework of BRICS on the basis of mutual benefit.

2. AREAS OF COOPERATION
(1) The Parties will encourage cooperation in the framework of implementation of sport projects that contribute to the strengthening of relations between the BRICS countries.
(2) Within the framework of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Parties will strengthen cooperation in the following areas:
a) social integration through physical culture and sport;
b) hosting the annual BRICS Games in the country in which the BRICS Chair resides;
c) the exchange of athletes, coaches, and sports professionals between the concerned organizations of the countries of the Parties;
d) encouraging athletes to participate in international sporting events held on the territory of the countries of the Parties;
e) cooperation in the field of high performance sport, sport for all, and leisure sport;
f) development of national, traditional, and non-Olympic sports;
g) exchange of views on issues of common concern in the field of physical culture and sport, considered at the international platforms;
h) facilitation of the holding of seminars, congresses, lectures, and workshops, in order to exchange experience on implementation strategies and practices adopted by the Parties in the fields of physical culture, sport, education, and leisure;
i) exchange of research results and systematizing knowledge on the effectiveness of projects or programmes aimed at the development and promotion of sport;
j) exchange of scientific research and good practices on anti-doping, as well as information and technologies in the framework of anti-doping educational programs;
k) exchange of information on implementation and maintenance processes of sports venues;
l) other areas of cooperation by mutual agreement of the Parties.

3. FINANCING
The financing of cooperation programs and projects will be jointly decided upon by the Parties in advance through consultations in accordance with the domestic laws of the Parties and their budgetary capabilities.

4. SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
Any disputes among the Parties related to the interpretation or implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be settled amicably, through consultations or direct negotiations between the Parties.

5. AMENDMENTS
This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended by mutual written consent of the Parties.

6. APPLICATION AND DURATION
(1) This Memorandum of Understanding is not an international treaty and does not create any rights and obligations on the Parties under international law.
(2) This Memorandum of Understanding will remain valid for a period of five years.
(3) This Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated by either Party giving prior notice in writing to the other Parties not less than six months in advance of the expected date of termination of the Memorandum of Understanding.
(4) Upon  receipt of a notice of termination, the Parties will use reasonable efforts to finalize their respective responsibilities under this Memorandum of Understanding before the termination date.
(5) The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not affect the completion of any project undertaken by the Parties prior to the termination thereof, or the full execution of any activity that has not been fully executed at the time of termination, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the Parties.

This Memorandum of Understanding is approved by the Parties on 25th of August 2020 in the Meeting by video conference of the BRICS Sports Ministers in the framework of the Chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Grouping.