The United Nations voted on Friday to move away from the Mercator global map, which distorts the size of countries, towards a more accurate representation. Led by Togo, the initiative aims to address the perception that Africa is marginalized by using the Equal Earth projection, which displays continents more realistically.
Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the importance of a fair map in creating a fair world. The resolution, though not binding, promotes the Equal Earth projection for its accuracy in depicting landmass sizes without challenging the Mercator projection’s use in navigation.
The UN General Assembly passed the resolution with overwhelming support, except for the United States, which criticized it as promoting an ideological agenda. Togo plans to update its school geography materials to reflect the accurate representation of countries and hopes to set an example for other nations.
Dussey expressed Togo’s commitment to encouraging governments, schools, and technology companies to transition away from the outdated Mercator projection. The move aligns with broader African initiatives to address colonial legacies and promote accurate representations of the world map.
