U.S. codified principle of "Common Heritage of Mankind" into Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act in anticipation of UNCLOS

Additionally, the United States explicitly acknowledges the “common heritage of mankind” principle in its passage of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act.⁶⁵ The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act notes that deep seabed minerals are the “common heritage of mankind” and establishes a temporary framework for the responsible and respectful mining of the deep seabed taking into account the interests of other nations.⁶⁶ That the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act was intended as a temporary framework until the Convention could be agreed upon and ratified⁶⁷ further supports the United States’ willingness to embrace the “common heritage of mankind,” and ultimately the Convention which incorporates this principle.