Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationRegulation & International Instruments
Common heritage of humankind
Definition
The common heritage of humankind is a legal principle under which designated areas — notably the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction (UNCLOS Part XI) and, in treaty language, celestial bodies (Outer Space Treaty Art. 1; Moon Agreement Art. 11) — cannot be appropriated by any state and must be used peacefully for the benefit of all, with benefits shared. Maltese ambassador Arvid Pardo proposed the principle for the seabed to the UN in 1967.
References
Outer Space Treaty and Moon Agreement provisions
UNCLOS Part XI; Pardo 1967; International Seabed Authority; non-appropriation
Overview
What it means
It creates a third status beyond national control and open access: collective stewardship with benefit-sharing.
How it is used
It is implemented through the International Seabed Authority for deep-sea minerals and debated in relation to space resources, biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and genetic resources.
Why it matters
It is the legal foundation for equity claims over resources of the global commons, increasingly contested as deep-sea mining advances.