The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to move away from the outdated Mercator global map, which distorts the true size of countries, especially Africa. The resolution, led by Togo and supported by African states, aims to address the misrepresentation of Africa as peripheral due to the Mercator map’s exaggeration of land masses near the poles. This projection makes Greenland appear comparable in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the importance of using a fair map for a fair world. The resolution advocates for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more accurate representation of continent sizes. It is worth noting that the resolution is not legally binding and does not challenge the Mercator projection’s suitability for maritime and aerial navigation.
The UN General Assembly approved the resolution with a majority vote of 164 in favor, one against (the United States), and six abstentions. The U.S. opposed the resolution, citing concerns about promoting an ideological agenda rather than addressing critical international issues.
Togo is taking proactive steps to implement the Equal Earth projection in its school geography materials by the end of the year, becoming the first country to do so. Dussey expressed Togo’s commitment to setting an example for other nations by transitioning away from the Mercator map. Additionally, Togo aims to encourage governments, schools, international organizations, and technology companies worldwide to shift towards the Equal Earth projection for a more accurate representation of the world.
Dussey plans to engage with African Union member states and global supporters within the next six months to facilitate broader adoption of the Equal Earth projection. He highlighted the need for discussions with mapping, GPS, and location-based technology companies to support this transition. Dussey emphasized that the campaign is part of broader African initiatives to address colonial-era legacies and is not intended as an attack on any specific civilization.
The move away from the Mercator map signifies a shift towards a more accurate and equitable representation of the world, reflecting the evolving global landscape and Africa’s changing role in it.