The Common Heritage of Mankind: An Adequate Regime for Managing the Deep Seabed?

This chapter attempts to give content to the common heritage of mankind (CHM) principle, as it applies to the deep seabed, by examining existing principles in international law. It focuses on analogies with the principle of the CHM as it applies to Antarctica and outer space. The chapter examines whether the CHM principle has the potential to become a juridical standard capable of managing activities relating to the deep seabed. In 1967, the Secretary-General of the UN included a supplementary item in the agenda of the 22^nd session of the General Assembly. To further develop the common heritage of mankind principle, the General Assembly passed Resolution 2467A, which created a Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Seabed and the Ocean Floor beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction. The effect of the Moratorium Resolution adopted in 1969 was to create a moratorium on deep seabed mining until an international regime had been established.