Legal Issues concerning Remote Sensing Data and Natural Disasters: a New Area of Activity for the United Nations Security Council?

The paper explores the legal nature of the obligations to provide assistance in the case of natural disasters and, in particular, the duty to share remote sensing images as a mean to improve disaster response. This analysis takes into account that the international legal frameworks concerning natural disaster management and remote sensing activities are based, mainly, on general principles, sometimes specified in international treaties or non-binding instruments. Moreover, considering the growing relevance and complexity of such emergencies, the paper analyses the possible role of the UN Security Council in this matter.