The United Nations voted on Friday to move away from the outdated Mercator global map and adopt a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes. This resolution, spearheaded by Togo, aims to combat the misconception that Africa is on the periphery.
Togo championed the initiative to support the African Union’s push to reduce the use of the Mercator map, which distorts the size of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. This projection makes Greenland appear similar in size to Africa, despite Africa being about 14 times larger.
“A fair world starts with a fair map,” stated Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey before the vote on Friday. The resolution advocates for the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise depiction of continent sizes.
Although non-binding, the resolution, passed by a vote of 164 to one in the UN General Assembly, supports the Equal Earth projection as a more accurate alternative to the Mercator map. The United States was the sole dissenting vote, criticizing the resolution for advancing an ideological agenda.
Togo aims to update its school geography materials by the end of the year, becoming the first country to do so. Dussey emphasized the importance of setting an example for other nations by transitioning away from the outdated Mercator projection.
In the coming months, Togo plans to collaborate with African Union members and supporters globally to encourage wider adoption of the Equal Earth projection. Dussey highlighted the need to involve mapping companies, GPS providers, and other technology firms in this transition.
Dussey underscored that the campaign to embrace the Equal Earth projection aligns with broader African initiatives to address colonial legacies and is not intended to target any specific civilization. He emphasized that as the world evolves, Africa is also undergoing transformation.