The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to move away from the outdated Mercator global map, which has been in use since the 16th century. The resolution, spearheaded by African nations, aims to present a more accurate depiction of countries’ actual sizes and counter the misconception that Africa is marginalized.
Togo took the lead in pushing forward this initiative, aligning with the African Union’s campaign to reduce the reliance on the Mercator map. This map distorts the sizes of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles, leading to misrepresentations such as Greenland appearing similar in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
“A just world starts with an equitable map,” emphasized Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey ahead of the vote. The resolution advocates for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise representation of continent sizes.
Although not legally binding, the resolution emphasizes that it does not challenge the use of the Mercator projection for navigation purposes, as it remains suitable for maritime and aerial navigation. The resolution received overwhelming support in the UN General Assembly, with 164 countries voting in favor, one against, and six abstentions.
The United States, the sole dissenting voter, criticized the resolution for promoting an “ideological agenda” and diverting attention from pressing international issues related to peace, prosperity, and diplomacy.
Togo is taking proactive steps to update its educational materials by phasing out the Mercator map from school geography resources by the year’s end. Dussey expressed Togo’s commitment to lead by example, becoming the first country to overhaul its geography textbooks to reflect a more accurate portrayal of the world.
In addition to influencing its own educational system, Togo plans to advocate for the global transition away from the Mercator projection among governments, educational institutions, international bodies, and technology firms. Dussey highlighted the Equal Earth projection as offering the most accurate representation of the world’s geography.
Looking ahead, Togo intends to convene with African Union members and allies from other regions in the coming months to strategize on how to encourage broader adoption of the Equal Earth projection. Dussey underscored the importance of involving mapping companies, GPS providers, and other location-based technology firms in these discussions.
Dussey framed the initiative as part of broader African efforts to address the legacies of colonialism while emphasizing that it is not an assault on any specific civilization. He attributed the enduring prevalence of the Mercator map to historical colonization and underscored the evolving nature of the global landscape, stating, “The world is evolving, and Africa is evolving along with it.”