The common heritage of mankind and the world heritage: correlation of concepts

Abstract

This article reviews the history of the emergence and development of the concept of the common heritage of mankind and the concept of world heritage. Particular attention is paid to the international legal regulation of both concepts and the analysis of their content. The article reveals the criteria and conditions for the universal value of the world heritage, gives a definition of the concepts of “common heritage of mankind” and “world cultural and natural heritage”. The authors examine the debate regarding the Artemis agreements, the concept of the common heritage of humanity, in relation to the concept of sustainable development. In the article, the authors pay attention to the lack of legal regulation towards marine genetic resources, marine biological resources, and human genome and space resources. The research uses general scientific and special cognitive techniques wherein legal analysis and synthesis, systemic, formal legal, comparative-legal, historical-legal and dialectical methods are applied. The authors found out that despite the fact of existence a list of the legal sources of international law towards concept of common heritage and world heritage still is incomplete and needs a revision.