The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to transition from the outdated Mercator global map to a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes. This resolution, championed by African nations, aims to combat the misconception that Africa is on the periphery of the world stage.
Leading the charge, Togo spearheaded the move to support the African Union’s initiative to reduce the use of the Mercator map. This map distorts the relative sizes of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles, creating the illusion that Greenland is comparable in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey emphasized the importance of a fair map, stating, “A fair world begins with a fair map,” in an interview with Reuters before the vote. The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise depiction of the continents’ sizes.
Although non-binding, the resolution does not challenge the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, as it remains suitable for those purposes, according to the Togolese ministry. The resolution was overwhelmingly approved in the UN General Assembly by a vote of 164 to one, with six abstentions.
The United States stood as the sole dissenting vote, criticizing the resolution for advancing an ideological agenda and diverting attention from genuine international concerns like peace and prosperity.
Togo aims to update its school geography materials by the end of the year, becoming the first country to do so. Dussey expressed the need for global cooperation in transitioning away from the Mercator projection towards the Equal Earth projection, which he believes offers a more accurate representation of the world.
In the coming months, Togo plans to engage with African Union members and supporters from other regions to facilitate broader adoption of the new map projection. Dussey underscored the importance of involving companies that utilize mapping, GPS, and location-based technologies in these discussions.
Dussey framed the campaign to adopt the Equal Earth projection as part of Africa’s broader efforts to address the lingering effects of colonialism, emphasizing that it is not intended to target any specific region or civilization. He highlighted that the prevailing use of the Mercator map is a legacy of colonization, and emphasized that both the world and Africa are evolving.
