3 
“DECLARATION OF LEGAL PRINCIPLES GOVERNING ACTIVITIES OF 
STATES IN THE EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION OF OCHAN 
SPACH 
“PREAMBLE 
“The General Assembly, 
“Inspired by the great prospects opening up before mankind as a result of 
man’s ever-deepening probe of ocean space—the waters of the high seas, includ- 
ing the superjacent waters above the continental shelf and outside the territorial 
sea of each nation, and the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas of the 
high seas outside the area of the territorial sea and continental shelf of each 
nation, 
“Recognizing the common interest of all mankind in the progress of the ex- 
ploration of ocean space and the exploitation of the resources in ocean space 
for peaceful purposes, 
“Believing that the threat of anarchy exists in the exploration and exploita- 
tion of ocean space and its resources, 
“Desiring to contribute to broad international cooperation in the scientific 
as well as the legal aspects of the exploration and exploitation of ocean space 
and its resources for peaceful purposes, 
“Recalling the four conventions of the law of the sea and an optional protocol 
of signature concerning the compulsory settlement of disputes, which agiree- 
ments were formulated at the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, 
held at Geneva, Switzerland, from 24 February to 27 April 1958, and were 
adopted by the Conference at Geneva on 29 April 1958, 
“Recalling the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the 
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial 
Bodies, which was unanimously endorsed by General Assembly resolution 2222 
(XXI) of 19 December 1966 and signed by sixty nations at Washington, London, 
and Moscow on 27 January 1967, and considering that progress towards inter- 
national cooperation in the exploration and exploitation of ocean space and its 
resources and the development of the rule of law in this area of human en- 
deavor is of comparable importance to that achieved in the field of outer space, 
“Convinced that international agreement on principles governing the activities 
of States in the exploration and exploitation of ocean space and its resources 
would further the welfare and prosperity of mankind and benefit their national 
States, 
“Believing that the living and mineral resources in suspension in the high seas, 
and in the seabed and subsoil of ocean space, are free for the use of all nations, 
subject to international treaty obligations and the conservation provisions of 
the conventions on the Law of the Sea adopted at the United Nations Conference 
on the Law of the Sea at Geneva on 29 April 1958, 
“Solemnly declares that in the exploration of ocean space and the exploitation 
of its resources States should be guided by the following principles: 
“T__GENERAL PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE TO OCEAN SPACE 
“1. Ocean space and the resources in ocean space shall be free for exploration 
and exploitation by all nations without discrimination of any kind, on a basis 
of equality of opportunity, and in accordance with international law, and there 
shall be free access to all areas of ocean space. 
“2. Ocean space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, 
by means of use or occupation, or by any other means. 
“3 There shall be freedom of scientific investigation in ocean space and States 
shall facilitate and encourage international cooperation in such investigation. 
“4, The activities of States in the exploration and exploitation of ocean space 
and its resources shall be carried on in accordance with international law, in- 
cluding the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles set forth in this 
Declaration, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and 
promoting international cooperation and understanding. 
“5. States bear international responsibility for national activities in ocean 
space, whether carried on by governmental agencies or non-governmental entities 
or nationals of such States, and for assuring that national activities are carried 
on in conformity with the principles set forth in this Declaration. The activities 
of non-governmenal entities and nationals of States in ocean space shall require 
authorization and continuing supervision by the State concerned. When activities 
are carried on in ocean space by an international organization, responsibility for 
