Common Heritage of Mankind Principle
The Common Heritage of Mankind Principle (CHP) as it was presented to the United Nations General Assembly in various declarations and treaties, and as it is understood in the early-twenty-first century, affirms that the natural resources of the deep seabed and of outer space are held in common by all nations, and should be distributed equitably for the benefit of all humankind. Specifically the CHP of the 1979 Treaty Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (The Moon Treaty), refers to: the equitable sharing of outer space resources; the nonappropriation of in-place resources particularly with regard to outer space mining activities; and the institution of an international regime to supervise commercial activities in space.
The CHP was presented with the understanding that it was crucial to plan for future exploration and uses of these important regions in order to insure not only an equitable distribution of their natural resources, but to prevent conflicts among nations as have occurred during earlier eras of exploration. Proponents of the CHP believe the principle confers on a region the designation of domino util or beneficial domain that should be legally defined as res communis humanitatis, a common heritage that is not owned by any nation, but from which all nations may garner profits and benefits.
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