Protocol of Intent Between U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Russian Rospotrebnadzor

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being, Russian Federation, (Rospotrebnadzor) (hereinafter – Participants), being aware of the humanitarian, social, and economic importance of prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, confirming their readiness and intent to continue cooperation in this area in order to improve the detection and confinement of cases of communicable and non-communicable diseases at the national, intergovernmental, regional, and international levels, acknowledge the following understandings:

1. The Participants intend to cooperate and work together on the following key issues:

• Control the spread of influenza, to respond effectively to and prevent human infections, to promote regular exchanges of operational information, including information on preventive measures and on the epidemiological situation in the Participants’ countries, and to promote joint research projects on the properties of circulating influenza virus strains.
  
• Exchange information on activities carried out by CDC and by Rospotrebnadzor subordinate agencies aimed at preventing HIV infection and tuberculosis, including in the most-at-risk populations, and aimed at solving the problems of resistance of infectious agents to drugs and disinfectants.
  
• Conduct periodic consultations between experts of CDC and Rospotrebnadzor concerning the temporary depositories of variola virus collections at WHO Collaborating Centers in order to continue research programs aimed at the development of smallpox countermeasures, including vaccines and antiviral drugs.
  
• Exchange surveillance data related to foodborne disease and provide training related to laboratory methods and epidemiology.
  
• Provide technical assistance with systematic monitoring of tobacco use and related indicators, producing data to design and implement efforts to inform the public about the dangers of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke as well as the benefits of smoking cessation and a tobacco-free lifestyle.
  
• Assist in conducting regular educational seminars and training courses for epidemiologists from CDC and from Rospotrebnadzor subordinate agencies to build capacity in surveillance for communicable and non-communicable diseases.

2. A Participant may make modifications to this Protocol of Intent upon written consent of the other Participant.

3. Activities under this Protocol of Intent are expected to commence on the day of its signing and are intended to continue for 2 (two) years.

4. The term of this Protocol of Intent is intended to continue for an additional 2 (two) years, if neither Participant provides written notification to the other of its intent to discontinue the activities undertaken under this Protocol of Intent.

5. To discontinue cooperation under this Protocol of Intent each Participant should provide the other Participant with a written notice of termination 3 (three) months before the actual termination of activities.

6. This Protocol of Intent does not constitute an international agreement and does not create legally binding rights and obligations governed by international law, by the laws of the United States, or by the laws of the Russian Federation.

7. Activities conducted under this Protocol of Intent are subject to the availability of funding and other resources of each Participant, are intended to be in conformance with program priorities of each Participant, and in accordance with the respective laws of the Participants.

Signed in [Washington, D.C., April 24,] 2012 in duplicate in the English and Russian languages.