UNITED NATIONS TREATIES
UNITED NATIONSTREATIESAND PRINCIPLES ONOUTER SPACEPrinted in AustriaV.02-57669–October 2002–1,405United Nations publicationSales No. E.02.I.20ISBN 92-1-100900-6ST/SPACE/11
ST/SPACE/11UNITED NATIONSTREATIESAND PRINCIPLES ONOUTER SPACEText of treaties and principlesgoverning the activities of States inthe exploration and use of outer space,adopted bythe United Nations General AssemblyUNITED NATIONSNew York, 2002
ST/SPACE/11UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONSales No. E.02.I.20ISBN 92-1-100900-6
ContentsPageForeword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vPart one. United Nations treatiesA. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in theExploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon andOther Celestial Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3B. Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronautsand the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space . . . . . . . . . . . . .9C. Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused bySpace Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13D. Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space . . . 22E. Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon andOther Celestial Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Part two. Principles adopted by the General AssemblyA. Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of Statesin the Exploration and Use of Outer Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39B. Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial EarthSatellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . 41C. Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from OuterSpace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44D. Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in OuterSpace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48E. Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration andUse of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of AllStates, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of DevelopingCountries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55iii
ForewordThe progressive development and codification of international law constitutesone of the principal responsibilities of the United Nations in the legal field. Animportant area for the exercise of such responsibilities is the new environment ofouter space and, through the efforts of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Legal Subcommittee, a number of significant contributions to the law of outer space have been made. The United Nations has, indeed,become a focal point for international cooperation in outer space and for the formulation of necessary international rules.Outer space, extraordinary in many respects, is, in addition, unique from thelegal point of view. It is only recently that human activities and international interaction in outer space have become realities and that beginnings have been made inthe formulation of international rules to facilitate international relations in outerspace.As is appropriate to an environment whose nature is so extraordinary, theextension of international law to outer space has been gradual and evolutionary—commencing with the study of questions relating to legal aspects, proceeding to theformulation of principles of a legal nature and, then, incorporating such principlesin general multilateral treaties.A significant first step was the adoption by the General Assembly in 1963 ofthe Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space.The years that followed saw the development within the United Nations of fivegeneral multilateral treaties, which incorporated and developed concepts included inthe Declaration of Legal Principles:Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration andUse of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (GeneralAssembly resolution 2222 (XXI), annex)—adopted on 19 December 1966,opened for signature on 27 January 1967, entered into force on 10 October 1967;Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and theReturn of Objects Launched into Outer Space (resolution 2345 (XXII), annex)—adopted on 19 December 1967, opened for signature on 22 April 1968,entered into force on 3 December 1968;Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects(resolution 2777 (XXVI), annex)—adopted on 29 November 1971, opened forsignature on 29 March 1972, entered into force on 1 September 1972;Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (resolution3235 (XXIX), annex)—adopted on 12 November 1974, opened for signatureon 14 January 1975, entered into force on 15 September 1976;v
Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other CelestialBodies (resolution 34/68, annex)—adopted on 5 December 1979, opened forsignature on 18 December 1979, entered into force on 11 July 1984.The United Nations oversaw the drafting, formulation and adoption of fiveGeneral Assembly resolutions, including the Declaration of Legal Principles. Theseare:Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, adopted on 13 December 1963 (resolution 1962(XVIII));Principles Governing the Use by States of Artificial Earth Satellites for International Direct Television Broadcasting, adopted on 10 December 1982 (resolution 37/92);Principles Relating to Remote Sensing of the Earth from Outer Space, adoptedon 3 December 1986 (resolution 41/65);Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space,adopted on 14 December 1992 (resolution 47/68);Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of OuterSpace for the Benefit and in the Interest of All States, Taking into ParticularAccount the Needs of Developing Countries, adopted on 13 December 1996(resolution 51/122).The 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,could be viewed as furnishing a general legal basis for the peaceful uses of outerspace and providing a framework for the developing law of outer space. The fourother treaties may be said to deal specifically with certain concepts included in the1967 Treaty. The space treaties have been ratified by many Governments and manyothers abide by their principles. In view of the importance of international cooperation in developing the norms of space law and their important role in promotinginternational cooperation in the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the GeneralAssembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations have called upon allMember States of the United Nations not yet parties to the international treatiesgoverning the uses of outer space to ratify or accede to those treaties as soon asfeasible.1The purpose of the present publication is to set out in a single volume the fiveouter space treaties adopted by the United Nations and the five sets of principles.It is hoped that this collection will serve as a valuable reference document forall those interested in the legal aspects of outer space.1See the report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation in space activities for enhancing security in the post-cold-war era (A/48/221), and also General Assembly resolution 48/39, para. 2.vi
Part oneUnited Nations treaties
A. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activitiesof States in the Exploration and Useof Outer Space, including the Moonand Other Celestial BodiesThe States Parties to this Treaty,Inspired by the great prospects opening up before mankind as a result of man’sentry into outer space,Recognizing the common interest of all mankind in the progress of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,Believing that the exploration and use of outer space should be carried on forthe benefit of all peoples irrespective of the degree of their economic or scientificdevelopment,Desiring to contribute to broad international cooperation in the scientific aswell as the legal aspects of the exploration and use of outer space for peacefulpurposes,Believing that such cooperation will contribute to the development of mutualunderstanding and to the strengthening of friendly relations between States andpeoples,Recalling resolution 1962 (XVIII), entitled “Declaration of Legal PrinciplesGoverning the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space”,which was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on13 December 1963,Recalling resolution 1884 (XVIII), calling upon States to refrain from placingin orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kindsof weapons of mass destruction or from installing such weapons on celestial bodies,which was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly on17 October 1963,Taking account of United Nations General Assembly resolution 110 (II) of3 November 1947, which condemned propaganda designed or likely to provoke orencourage any threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression, andconsidering that the aforementioned resolution is applicable to outer space,Convinced that a Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in theExploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,will further the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,Have agreed on the following:3
Article IThe exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestialbodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries,irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be theprovince of all mankind.Outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be free forexploration and use by all States without discrimination of any kind, on a basis ofequality and in accordance with international law, and there shall be free access toall areas of celestial bodies.There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in outer space, including theMoon and other celestial bodies, and States shall facilitate and encourage international cooperation in such investigation.Article IIOuter space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject tonational appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, orby any other means.Article IIIStates Parties to the Treaty shall carry on activities in the exploration and useof outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance withinternational law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest ofmaintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation and understanding.Article IVStates Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the Earth anyobjects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction,install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space inany other manner.The Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used by all States Parties to theTreaty exclusively for peaceful purposes. The establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct ofmilitary manoeuvres on celestial bodies shall be forbidden. The use of militarypersonnel for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes shall not beprohibited. The use of any equipment or facility necessary for peaceful explorationof the Moon and other celestial bodies shall also not be prohibited.Article VStates Parties to the Treaty shall regard astronauts as envoys of mankind inouter space and shall render to them all possible assistance in the event of accident,4
distress, or emergency landing on the territory of another State Party or on the highseas. When astronauts make such a landing, they shall be safely and promptly returned to the State of registry of their space vehicle.In carrying on activities in outer space and on celestial bodies, the astronautsof one State Party shall render all possible assistance to the astronauts of other StatesParties.States Parties to the Treaty shall immediately inform the other States Parties tothe Treaty or the Secretary-General of the United Nations of any phenomena theydiscover in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, which couldconstitute a danger to the life or health of astronauts.Article VIStates Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for nationalactivities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, whether suchactivities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities,and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non-governmental entities inouter space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty. Whenactivities are carried on in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies,by an international organization, responsibility for compliance with this Treaty shallbe borne both by the international organization and by the States Parties to theTreaty participating in such organization.Article VIIEach State Party to the Treaty that launches or procures the launching of anobject into outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, and each StateParty from whose territory or facility an object is launched, is internationally liablefor damage to another State Party to the Treaty or to its natural or juridical personsby such object or its component parts on the Earth, in air space or in outer space,including the Moon and other celestial bodies.Article VIIIA State Party to the Treaty on whose registry an object launched into outerspace is carried shall retain jurisdiction and control over such object, and over anypersonnel thereof, while in outer space or on a celestial body. Ownership of objectslaunched into outer space, including objects landed or constructed on a celestialbody, and of their component parts, is not affected by their presence in outer spaceor on a celestial body or by their return to the Earth. Such objects or component partsfound beyond the limits of the State Party to the Treaty on whose registry they arecarried shall be returned to that State Party, which shall, upon request, furnish identifying data prior to their return.5
Article IXIn the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, States Parties to the Treaty shall be guided by the principle of cooperation and mutual assistance and shall conduct all their activities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, with due regard to the correspondinginterests of all other States Parties to the Treaty. States Parties to the Treaty shall pursue studies of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, and conductexploration of them so as to avoid their harmful contamination and also adversechanges in the environment of the Earth resulting from the introduction of extraterrestrial matter and, where necessary, shall adopt appropriate measures for this purpose. If a State Party to the Treaty has reason to believe that an activity or experimentplanned by it or its nationals in outer space, including the Moon and other celestialbodies, would cause potentially harmful interference with activities of other StatesParties in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon andother celestial bodies, it shall undertake appropriate international consultations beforeproceeding with any such activity or experiment. A State Party to the Treaty whichhas reason to believe that an activity or experiment planned by another State Party inouter space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, would cause potentiallyharmful interference with activities in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space,including the Moon and other celestial bodies, may request consultation concerningthe activity or experiment.Article XIn order to promote international cooperation in the exploration and use ofouter space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, in conformity with thepurposes of this Treaty, the States Parties to the Treaty shall consider on a basis ofequality any requests by other States Parties to the Treaty to be afforded an opportunity to observe the flight of space objects launched by those States.The nature of such an opportunity for observation and the conditions underwhich it could be afforded shall be determined by agreement between the Statesconcerned.Article XIIn order to promote international cooperation in the peaceful exploration anduse of outer space, States Parties to the Treaty conducting activities in outer space,including the Moon and other celestial bodies, agree to inform the Secretary-Generalof the United Nations as well as the public and the international scientific community, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, of the nature, conduct, locationsand results of such activities. On receiving the said information, the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations should be prepared to disseminate it immediately andeffectively.6
Article XIIAll stations, installations, equipment and space vehicles on the Moon and othercelestial bodies shall be open to representatives of other States Parties to the Treatyon a basis of reciprocity. Such representatives shall give reasonable advance noticeof a projected visit, in order that appropriate consultations may be held and thatmaximum precautions may be taken to assure safety and to avoid interference withnormal operations in the facility to be visited.Article XIIIThe provisions of this Treaty shall apply to the activities of States Parties to theTreaty in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and othercelestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by a single State Party to theTreaty or jointly with other States, including cases where they are carried on withinthe framework of international intergovernmental organizations.Any practical questions arising in connection with activities carried on by international intergovernmental organizations in the exploration and use of outer space,including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be resolved by the States Partiesto the Treaty either with the appropriate international organization or with one ormore States members of that international organization, which are Parties to thisTreaty.Article XIV1.This Treaty shall be open to all States for signature. Any State which doesnot sign this Treaty before its entry into force in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article may accede to it at any time.2.This Treaty shall be subject to ratification by signatory States. Instrumentsof ratification and instruments of accession shall be deposited with theGovernments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States ofAmerica, which are hereby designated the Depositary Governments.3.This Treaty shall enter into force upon the deposit of instruments of ratification by five Governments including the Governments designated asDepositary Governments under this Treaty.4.For States whose instruments of ratification or accession are depositedsubsequent to the entry into force of this Treaty, it shall enter in
outer space and, through the efforts of the United Nations Committee on the Peace-ful Uses of Outer Space and its Legal Subcommittee, a number of significant con-tributions to the law of outer space have been made. The United Nations has, indeed, become a focal point for international coope
Peace and Friendship Treaties On the East Coast, Peace and Friendship Treaties were signed with Mi'kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy First Nations prior to 1779. Treaties are solemn agreements that
The Global Treaty on Migratory Species: the Bonn Convention of 1979 The North American System B. The Mechanisms of Species Conservation Treaties 1. The Technique of Species Conservation Treaties 2. The Implementation of Species Conservation Treaties C. Exploitation Treaties 1. The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling 2.
Investment treaties were originally negotiated bilaterally between developed and developing countries. More recently, developing countries have signed investment treaties with one another. Investment treaties between developed countries remain rare—though this may change, as seen for instance in the conclusion of the
UNFICYP United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIFIL United Nations Interim Force in the Lebanon UNIKOM United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission UNMOGIP United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan
UN DKPO United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations UNAMID African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur UNAMSIL United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone . XIV UNEF 1 United Nations Emergency Force in Egypt UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNISFA
UN United Nations UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (‘The Earth Summit’, 1992) UN DESD United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005 2014) UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations University Office in North America 2 United Nations Plaza, Room DC2-2062, New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: þ1-212-963-6387 Fax: þ1-212-371-9454 E-mail: unuona@ony.unu.edu United Nations University Press is the publishing division of the United Nations University. Cover design by Joyce C. Weston Photograph by Pacific Press Service .
United Nations Nations Unies United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . We strongly recommend all companies to register at least at Level 1 under the United Nations Secretariat prior to participating in any solicitations. . UN post-employment restrictions
