The Utilization of Lunar Natural Resources by Countries, In Celebration of the International Moon Day

The use of natural resources expanded into outer space. The progress of space activities has led to initiatives by countries through the United Nations to adopt various international instruments, including the 1979 Moon Agreement. Article 11 of the 1979 Moon Agreement regulates the utilization of lunar natural resources exclusively based on the Common Heritage of Mankind principle. However, it creates multiple interpretations.

Thesis Lecture: “The Utilization of Lunar Natural Resources by Countries” is a virtual class that featured a presentation of a thesis written by Farah Diya Yasmine and moderated by Nashide Pelin Kurtaran. Our event proposal was approved by the International Moon Day Committee of the Moon Village Association, supporting the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) featured event. 

Our inaugural lecture took place on July 17, 2023, and was attended by 123 global participants, mostly Indonesians. We examined the basis of the obscurity of Article 11 of the 1979 Moon Agreement and the renewal provisions for natural resources on the moon. 

The lecture was attended by 123 global participants. The topic was from Farah Diya Yasmine's undergraduate thesis with the same title. It explained the exploration and exploitation of lunar natural resources, especially in Article 11 of the 1979 Moon Agreement context.
Check our report here.

Introductory Class: Understanding Legalese in the 1979 Moon Agreement (A Way to Broaden Public Awareness)

For practitioners and students, legal English, or legalese, plays a significant role in comprehending international instruments such as treaties, agreements, decisions, etcetera. It is not limited to human activities on Earth but also in outer space, including lunar exploration and exploitation. Therefore, understanding the significant impact of legalese, we address our second topic to familiarize students and professionals with one of the international space law instruments, the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (1979) or the Moon Agreement.

Introductory Class: Understanding Legalese in the 1979 Moon Agreement (A Way to Broaden Public Awareness) is a virtual interactive class that features all provisions of the Moon Agreement. Articles 1 to 7 were presented by La-Quita Geoge, Articles 8 to 14 by Farah Diya Yasmine, and Articles 15 to 21 by Nashide Pelin Kurtaran. This event also contributed to celebrating International Moon Day, which was approved by the International Moon Day Committee of the Moon Village Association, supporting the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) featured event. 

Our second lecture took place on July 18, 2024, and was attended by around 30 global participants, mostly Indonesians. It encompasses four sections:

1. What is legalese, and why is it important?;

2. How this class will contribute to public awareness of space activities, especially on the moon;

3. Introductory Class of the Legalese in the 1979 Moon Agreement;

4. Call for action.

For more information, check these out:

Full session recording: [YouTube]

Trimmed Videos:

QnA with Sheida Goudarzi [YouTube]

La-Quita George's Presentation [YouTube] 

Farah Diya Yasmine's Presentation [YouTube]

Nashide Pelin Kurtaran's Presentation [YouTube]

Farah Law School's Website: Farah Law School - Lectures

International Moon Day's event page: Introductory Class

FARAH LAW SCHOOL 3RD VIRTUAL LECTURE

🌕In Celebration of International Moon Day🌕

Presents

Lifting Off Together: Lunar Exploration Opportunities for Emerging Nations (Legal and Technical Approaches)

🗣️Speaker : La- Quita George (National Coordinator of Trinidad and Tobago, Moon Village Association);

🗣️Speaker : Dr. Javier Romo Maldonado (Research Coordinator, SGAC Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group);

🗣️Speaker     : Farah Diya Yasmine (Founder, Farah Law School)

👤Moderator   : Purvika Mittal (Astrodynamics Engineer)

🗓️Schedule     : July 27, 2025 (10.pm–11. pm GMT+7)

📌Platform     : Zoom Meeting 

IMD's event page: Lifting Off Together

🚨 ATTENTION:

In partnership with International Moon Day, Farah Law School presents a critical, must-attend session in our 4th Virtual Lecture Series:

🌌THEME: “Escalating The Moon Exploration Opportunities for Emerging Space Nations”

💡 SESSION TOPIC: How to Fight and Win Space Wars

🎤 SPEAKER: Paul Szymanski, President of the Space Strategies Center. 

Paul Szymanski has 52 years’ experience in space war policy, doctrine, survivability, and long-range strategic planning. He has published/lectured over 200 times in 25 allied countries worldwide. He has helped the United States fight 11 space wars (and “incidents”) and has participated in 12 space weapons programs.

🎤MODERATOR: Mahima Gehlot, Master's student at ISAE-ENSMA

Ms. Mahima Gehlot is an aerospace leader and global advocate for space sustainability, currently serving as the Co-Lead of the SGAC Near Earth Object (NEO) Project Group. Pursuing a Master’s in High-Temperature Materials at ISAE-ENSMA, she actively bridges technical research with international policy. Ms. Mahima leads the pioneering initiative to declare Low Earth Orbit a UNESCO World Heritage site and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, global workforce in the space sector.

📅 Date   : July 25, 2026 

⏰Time : 8:00 AM GMT+7 (Western Indonesian Time) 

📍 Where   : Zoom Meeting

IMD event page: How to Fight and Win Space Wars

🚨ATTENTION:

The future of space is NOT just written in orbit. It’s built from the ground up.

When we think of the space sector, we often focus on the established powers leading the charge. But as humanity moves toward a multiplanetary future, true sustainability requires inclusive legal frameworks built by non-traditional voices and emerging nations.🛰️

In partnership with International Moon Day, Farah Law School presents an inspiring, must-attend session in our Second Episode from the 4th Virtual Lecture Series:

🌌 THEME: “Escalating The Moon Exploration Opportunities for Emerging Space Nations”

🌌 SESSION TOPIC: Episode 2: “Governance from the Ground Up: The Bolivia Moon Agreement and Inclusive Lunar Frameworks”

Indigenous communities in Bolivia produced a lunar governance framework, “The Bolivia Moon Agreement”, with no formal legal background, drawing instead on their lived experience and governance failures in the Amazon, and their diverse fields, from ecology and medicine to business. It’s a living example of space governance built by non-traditional voices, which speaks directly to the inclusivity your series champions. Plus, it centers young people as the co-architects of the multiplanetary future they will inherit.

🎤 SPEAKER: Dr. Lakshmi Karan, Co-founder of LunARC

Dr. Lakshmi Karan is the co-founder of LunARC, working to make space exploration inclusive and accessible. Her multiple careers span the technology, philanthropy, and social innovation sectors, giving her a rare fluency in both technological and social systems. She holds degrees in Mathematics, Systems Management, and International Law & Diplomacy, plus a Ph.D. in International Relations, and has led teams across the Americas, Asia, and Africa.

🎤 MODERATOR: Ms. Farah Diya Yasmine, President of Farah Law School

📅 Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026

⏰Time: 7:00 PM GMT+7 (Western Indonesian Time)

📍Where: Zoom Meeting

IMD event page: Governance from the Ground Up