The Martian Accords: Principles for the Orderly Transition from Dependent Outposts and Colonies to Sovereign City-States on Mars

Abstract

The Martian Accords set forth non-binding political commitments to guide the orderly transition of human settlements on Mars from terrestrial-dependent outposts and colonies to sovereign city-states within a voluntary confederal framework. Reaffirming the Outer Space Treaty and complementing the Artemis Accords, the Martian Accords outline three progressive stages-dependent status, intermediate autonomy, and full city-state sovereignty-while ensuring continuity of international responsibility, jurisdiction, control, and liability. They address the transfer of authorization and supervision, the registration of objects constructed on Mars (outside the scope of the Registration Convention), residual terrestrial obligations, asymmetric transitions, and the coordinating role of any future Union of city-states. The Martian Accords expressly preserve the non-appropriation principle, treat safety zones as temporary coordination tools only, and remain open to accession by States and by Martian settlements that acquire sufficient legal personality. Designed as evolutionary political commitments rather than binding treaty law, they aim to facilitate a liberal, pacific order of self-governing Martian polities while maintaining transparency, safety, and peaceful use of outer space.