Agreement governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies

General Information

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What is it about?

The 1979 Agreement, adopted under the auspices of the General Assembly of the United Nations, provides conditions for the exploration and exploitation of the Moon by the Member States. It implements the provisions of the 1967 Treaty on the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. According to the present Agreement, the Moon and its resources constitute the province of all mankind and are not subject to national appropriation by declaration of sovereignty. Member States are held to use the Moon as a demilitarised zone exclusively for peaceful purposes. Placing objects carrying weapons of mass destruction on the Moon or in orbit around it is prohibited. All Member States have the same right to engage in scientific research and to place equipment or facility necessary for peaceful exploration and use of the Moon guided by the principle of international cooperation and information. The Agreement establishes rules for the exploitation of the Moon’s natural resources. The 1979 Agreement, adopted under the auspices of the General Assembly of the United Nations, provides conditions for the exploration and exploitation of the Moon by the Member States. It implements the provisions of the 1967 Treaty on the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. According to the present Agreement, the Moon and its resources constitute the province of all mankind and are not subject to national appropriation by declaration of sovereignty. Member States are held to use the Moon as a demilitarised zone exclusively for peaceful purposes. Placing objects carrying weapons of mass destruction on the Moon or in orbit around it is prohibited. All Member States have the same right to engage in scientific research and to place equipment or facility necessary for peaceful exploration and use of the Moon guided by the principle of international cooperation and information. The Agreement establishes rules for the exploitation of the Moon’s natural resources. The 1979 Agreement, adopted under the auspices of the General Assembly of the United Nations, provides conditions for the exploration and exploitation of the Moon by the Member States. It implements the provisions of the 1967 Treaty on the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. According to the present Agreement, the Moon and its resources constitute the province of all mankind and are not subject to national appropriation by declaration of sovereignty. Member States are held to use the Moon as a demilitarised zone exclusively for peaceful purposes. Placing objects carrying weapons of mass destruction on the Moon or in orbit around it is prohibited. All Member States have the same right to engage in scientific research and to place equipment or facility necessary for peaceful exploration and use of the Moon guided by the principle of international cooperation and information. The Agreement establishes rules for the exploitation of the Moon’s natural resources.

Why is it relevant?

As of 2005, the Agreement had been signed by some 11 states; neither the United States nor Russia did so, mainly due to the declaration that the Moon shall be “the common heritage of mankind”. As of 2005, the Agreement had been signed by some 11 states; neither the United States nor Russia did so, mainly due to the declaration that the Moon shall be “the common heritage of mankind”. As of 2005, the Agreement had been signed by some 11 states; neither the United States nor Russia did so, mainly due to the declaration that the Moon shall be “the common heritage of mankind”.

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