The International Military Sports Council, known by its acronym "CISM", is an international sports association composed of the armed forces of member nations accepted by the General Assembly. CISM is open to the armed forces of all nations.

The aims of CISM are to develop friendly relations between the Armed Forces of member nations, promote physical education and sports activities, provide mutual technical assistance, support less privileged members in the name of friendship and solidarity, contribute towards the balanced and harmonious development of military personnel, and contribute to the international effort for universal peace.

This ideal is encapsulated in the CISM motto
"FRIENDSHIP THROUGH SPORT".

This ideal and the principles, listed below, can be as also found in the Mission Statement, adopted during the General Assembly of Lome, Togo in 1997 and officially signed by the member countries at the occasion of the General assembly in Baden, Austria in 1998.
Everyone can feel during all the events organized by CISM that the development and the respect of its ideals are from the highest importance.

CISM is established for an indefinite duration. It may be dissolved at any time by a vote of the General Assembly

Principles
The CISM organization and operation are governed by the following principles:

	A. CISM is an apolitical organization which fosters, through sport, friendship between military athletes to promote international harmony. B. CISM values sport in the Armed Forces as an essential pillar of international sport and universal peace. C. CISM adheres to the universal principles of “mens sana in corpore sano”, and “all human beings are born free and equal, in dignity and in rights”, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the United Nations Charter. D. CISM rejects all forms of discrimination towards a nation or a person on the basis of race, religion, political belief, and any other discriminatory practice. E. CISM upholds the universal right of each person to practice a sport of his choice, according to his needs. F. CISM operates under the democratic principles that a nation represents one voice, the majority rules and the General Assembly of member nations is the supreme authority. G. CISM conducts its activities in conformity with universal, fundamental legal and ethical principles and depends on the voluntary contribution and good will of its member nations. H. CISM encourages member nations to organize a maximum of sport competitions in a spirit of equal opportunity, friendship, solidarity and fair play. I. CISM develops sport by practice at all levels and research in physical education and training. J. CISM cooperates with all international institutions and organizations that share the same objectives and encourage the assembly of citizens of the world.