UN passes resolution backing new world map showing Africa’s true size
It was adopted on Friday by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions.
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution encouraging wider use of a world map that more accurately reflects the real size of continents, in a move backed strongly by African states.
The resolution promotes the Equal Earth projection as an alternative to the widely used Mercator map, which has long been criticised for distorting the size of countries and continents.
It was adopted on Friday by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions.
The United States was the only country to vote against it.
Togo led the initiative as part of a broader African Union campaign to reduce reliance on the Mercator projection in global education, diplomacy and public communication.
The Mercator map, developed in the 16th century, enlarges land masses closer to the poles.
As a result, Greenland appears almost the same size as Africa on many maps, although Africa is about 14 times larger.
Supporters of the resolution say such distortions have contributed to a perception that Africa is smaller and less central than it truly is.
Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, said the campaign was about fairness in how the world is represented.
“A fair world begins with a fair map,” he told Reuters before the vote.
The Togolese ministry said the resolution does not legally compel countries or institutions to abandon the Mercator map.
It also clarified that the decision does not challenge the continued use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, where it remains useful.
The resolution instead encourages the use of the Equal Earth projection because it gives a more accurate visual representation of the relative size of continents.
Mr Dussey linked the campaign to wider African efforts to confront colonial-era legacies in global systems and symbols.
He said the move should not be understood as an attack on Europe or any other civilisation.
According to him, the widespread use of the Mercator map is one of the lingering effects of colonisation.
“The world is changing. Africa also is changing,” he said.
The vote marks a symbolic victory for African countries pushing for a more balanced representation of the continent in global affairs.
