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