The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to adopt a new world map that shows Africa in its true proportional size, marking a historic victory for African nations that have campaigned against centuries of cartographic misrepresentation. The resolution passed with overwhelming support from 164 member states, while only the United States voted against it.
Six countries abstained. Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine chose not to support the measure.
The resolution targets the widely used Mercator projection from the 16th century, which makes Africa appear significantly smaller than it actually is. Instead, it encourages governments, schools, and technology companies to use the Equal Earth projection, developed in 2018, which more accurately represents the relative sizes of continents on a flat surface.
Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey led negotiations on behalf of the African Union, arguing that a fair map doesn’t ce geography but transforms how we perceive the world. The resolution describes correcting these distortions as an act of cognitive justice and memorial reparation.
Washington’s representative criticized the initiative, claiming it mocks the UN’s purpose and calling it part of a radical ideological project that damages the institution’s credibility. France, however, signaled its intention to abandon Mercator projections, aligning with the African Union’s efforts.
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