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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF DIGITAL GOVERNANCE BETWEEN MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNECATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA AND MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF COSTA RICA The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications of the Rcpublic of Costa Rica; (“Estoni&’ and “Costa Rica”, hereinafler also referred to singularly as the “Participant” and collectively as the “Participants”): CONSIDERING that digital development is a major factor in social and economic development in each country and region in the 2l century, including for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals; ALSO CONSIDERiNG the benefits that may arise from the cooperation of the Pailicipants in the tield of digital governance for national development in this regard. RECOGNISING the progress made in Estonia in digital development, especially with regard to the creation of the digital economy and government platforms and digital services: RECOGNISING ALSO that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications of Costa Rica has launched the Digital Transformation Strategy of Costa Rica. aiming to accelerate digitalization of the public sector and strengthen cybersecurity at public institutions. BUILDING ON the recent exchanges and existing relations between public authorities of both countries: PURSUANT TO the prevailing laws and regulations of their respective countries: WISHING TO make the partnership of our countries deeper overall;  have reached thc following Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as “M0U’): SECTION 1 Objective The objective of this MoU is to develop cooperation and to promote relations and mutual understanding betven the Participants SECTION 2 Basic principles This Memorandum is a statement of intent of the Participants and it will not create any binding legal obligations for either Participant. The provisions of this MoU will not give rise to any legal claim on behalf of either Participants or any third participants. The participants declare herewith their intention to cooperation and joint work for which, each cooperative activity shall proceed with through a written consent prior mutual agreement oithe Participants and shall be implemented in agreement with national regulations of each of the Participants through “specific agreements”. as long as the resources and approval are available. SECTION 3 Areas of cooperation The Participants will encourage, facilitate and engage in cooperation in the following areas: 1. Exchange best practices, experiences and expertise in innovative and effective digital government and economy solutions, policies and reguLations, governance models; 2. Exchange information and knowledge exchange, and fostering of co-operation between the two countries and various institutions in the field of digital development; 3. Identify challenges and find out the effective and priority use-cases and roadmap for digital government and society development, work jointly in implementing relevant platforms and solutions in Costa Rica (including especially X-Road’ based data exchange platform); 4. Development of policy initiatives, proof-of-concepts. demo and/or pilot solutions or projects in field of digital governance; X—Road is all open source data exchange layer solution that enables organizations to exchange information over the InlerneL X—Road is a ceo tralk managed distributed data exchange layer between ntornlatioil systeills that provides a standardized and secure way to produce and consume Sen ices X-Road ensures contideriti ably, integrity arid i nteroperahi ‘tN heh’ een data excliaiige parties. 3  5. Promoting cooperation and facilitating partnerships of technology companies and communities for joint innovation initiatives and development of digital services in both countries: 6. Other areas as jointly decided by the Participants to be of mutual benefit and supporting the achievement of the aims of this MoU. SECTION 4 Implementation 1. The Participants will appoint persons of contact (POC) to facilitate, monito r and review the implementation of this MoU. 2. The effective implementation may include, inter cilia, evaluation. pre-qualification and nomination of suitable private companies or other institutions or experts from their respective countries to implement as well as partner and collaborate togeth er in development projects. 3. The Participants will collaborate to decide, on a case by case basis, how theirjo int activities will be funded and resourced. SECTION 5 Protection of Intellectual Property Rights 1. Each Participant will protect. within its territory, intellectual property rights of the other Participant in accordance with the domestic law in force in their respective countr ies. 2. In case specific arrangement, programs of projects may affect any intelle ctual property rights, the Participants will conclude separate arrangement in accord ance with their respective regulations. SECTION 6 Confidentiality Neither Participant will disclose nor distribute to any third party any inform ation transmitted by the other Participant in the process of cooperative activities under this MoU and considered as confidential, except as may be authorized in writing to do so. 3  SECTION 7 Use of Name and Logo No Participant will use the name of another Participant as an endorsement, or the other Participant’s logo (or any variation thereof), without first obtaining the relevant Participants written consent. SECTIONS Entry into Effect, Duration and Termination 1. This MoU will come into effect on the date of its signing. 2. This MoU will remain in effect lbr a period of 5 (five) years. Therea fter, it will automatically be renewed for further periods of three years at a time, unless either Participant gives 6 (six) months’ written notice in advance through the diplomatic channe l to the other Participant of its intention to terminate this MoU. 3 MoU may be reviewed and amended at any time by mutua l written consent of the Participants. Such amendment will come into effect on such date as may be detennined by the Participants and will form an integral part of this MoU. 4. The termination of this MoU will not affect this validity and duratio n of any arrangements. programs, activities or projects made under this MoU until the completion of such arrangements. programs. activities or projects unless the Partici pants decided otherwise. Ihe MoU has been signed in two original copies in English and Spanish, both texts being equally authentic. In Tallinn, Estonia on II September2019. Ministry of Economic Affairs and Minist’ of Science, Technology and Communications Telecommunications of the Republic of Estonia of the Republic of Costa Rica Kert Kingo Luis Ad ar Soils Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister of Sc nec, cuinology and information Technology Teiecommu ications 4