– NEW YORK
On Friday, September 4, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution promoting greater use of maps that depict continents with their exact proportions, with a particular focus on Africa. The proposal, led by Togo and backed by African Union nations, garnered 164 votes in favor. Only the United States voted against it, while six nations abstained. The U.S. argued that the measure promoted an ideological message and diverted attention from more pressing global concerns.
For centuries, the Mercator projection has been the standard for world maps. Designed in the 16th century for navigation, it maintains reliable shapes and directions for ships and aircraft but distorts the size of landmasses. Areas near the poles appear much larger than they actually are, while regions around the equator including Africa appear smaller. On these maps, Greenland often looks almost as large as the entire African continent, even though Africa is actually about 14 times larger.
The resolution encourages countries, schools, and international bodies to opt for equal-area maps, such as the ‘Equal Earth’ projection introduced in 2018. This style displays true relative sizes without the polar exaggeration of the previous system. Proponents argue that the shift helps correct deeply ingrained visual perceptions that have made Africa appear less significant than its actual scale and population warrant.
Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey summarized the goal simply accurate maps foster a fairer view of the world. The measure is not legally binding, nor does it ban the Mercator projection for navigation a field where it continues to function well. Primarily, it advocates for better representations in education, official materials, and public use, so that geographical reality is made clearer.
The vote builds on the African Union's prior support for the ‘Equal Earth’ map. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it lends international weight to efforts to update how the world is depicted. Further discussions regarding practical measures including potential collaboration with educational and cartographic organizations are expected in the coming months.