The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to move away from the outdated Mercator global map, which has been in use since the 16th century.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, championed by African nations, aims to provide a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes and combat the misconception that Africa is on the fringes of the world stage.
Togo spearheaded the movement to support the African Union’s initiative to reduce the reliance on the Mercator map. This map distorts the proportions of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. For example, it portrays Greenland as being comparable in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
“A fair world begins with a fair map,” emphasized Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey in a statement to Reuters before the vote took place. The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise depiction of continent sizes.
Although the resolution is not legally binding, it does not challenge the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, where it remains suitable, according to the Togolese ministry.
The UN General Assembly approved the resolution with a notable majority of 164 votes in favor, one against (the United States), and six abstentions. The United States contended that the resolution advances an ideological agenda and diverges attention from pressing international issues of peace and prosperity.
Togo has ambitious plans to update its educational materials by the end of the year, starting with changing geography textbooks to incorporate the Equal Earth projection. This move is intended to set an example for other countries and align with the global shift away from the Mercator map.
Dussey affirmed Togo’s commitment to encouraging governments, educational institutions, international bodies, and tech companies to transition from the outdated Mercator projection to the more accurate Equal Earth model, which provides a better understanding of the world’s geography.
In the coming months, Togo aims to engage with African Union members and allies from various regions to facilitate broader acceptance of the Equal Earth projection. Dussey emphasized the importance of involving mapping companies, GPS providers, and location-based technology firms in discussions about the transition.
Dussey underscored that the initiative to adopt the new map aligns with broader African efforts to address the legacies of colonialism, emphasizing that it is not an affront to any specific region or civilization. The persistence of the Mercator map’s use is attributed to colonial influences, but Dussey highlighted that the world and Africa are evolving, necessitating more accurate representations of global geography.