The Importance of Borders and Boundary Areas on the Earth, the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies from the Perspective of International Law
Keywords:
Borders and Boundary, The Earth, The Moon, Other Celestial Bodies, International LawAbstract
Abstract
The study of the evolution of the concepts of “boundaries” and “borders” is absolutely essential for understanding contemporary international legal systems and for preparing humanity for future space colonization endeavors. Since the establishment of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, boundaries have served merely as the foundation for recognizing state sovereignty, territorial administration, and the determination of citizenship identity. However, following the conclusion of World War II, the principle of “Uti Possidetis Juris” was successfully implemented to maintain border stability, particularly during the post-colonial liberation period in South America, Africa, and Asia, demonstrating the crucial role of borders in regulating international relations. Currently, terrestrial boundaries and borders are confronting novel challenges from globalization, digital technology, and environmental crises, causing the concept of boundary demarcation to transform from fixed demarcation lines toward more flexible and interconnected spaces. Nevertheless, the significant challenges concerning “boundaries” and “borders” are not confined exclusively to Earth, but rather these challenges are emerging on the Moon and/or other celestial bodies in outer space. Although the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 adheres to the principle of non-appropriation, considering space as “the province of all mankind” and free for exploration and utilization by all states, in reality, human demands for exploring and utilizing space resources, including establishing settlements on the Moon and other celestial bodies, are challenging these principles. Additionally, certain domestic space legislation of some countries has permitted private ownership of space resources and has proposed the concept of “safety zones” around lunar bases, generating controversy that this may constitute indirect territorial creation.
Therefore, the study of boundaries and borders in the past and present on Earth is of paramount importance for establishing conceptual frameworks and approaches for managing space and resources on the Moon and/or other celestial bodies in outer space in the future. Consequently, this article proposes three significant approaches: (1) the improvement, development, and/or establishment of clear international agreements; (2) the establishment of international organizations serving as primary mechanisms for effective and efficient dispute resolution regarding interstate boundary issues; and (3) the preparation of plans for readiness and determination of approaches to address boundary issues on Earth, on the Moon, and/or on other celestial bodies in space to align with the future world. Understanding the dynamics of these borders will facilitate the creation of equitable, sustainable governance systems and effectively prevent potential conflicts arising from claims and utilization of outer space in the future.
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ศุภศจี สมบัติวัฒนางกูร, การใช้หลักกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศว่าด้วยการสืบสิทธิเส้นเขตแดนเดิม (Uti possidetis Principle) นอกเหนือบริบทการสืบทอดพรมแดนอาณานิคม, (วิทยานิพนธ์หลักสูตรปริญญานิติศาสตร์มหาบัณฑิต คณะนิติศาสตร์จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย, 2555)
