The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to transition from the outdated Mercator global map to a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes.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 marginalized.
Togo spearheaded the effort to support the African Union’s initiative to reduce the reliance on the Mercator map, which distorts the proportions of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. For instance, it falsely portrays Greenland as being similar in size to Africa, even though Africa is approximately 14 times larger.
Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey emphasized the importance of a fair map, stating that “a fair world begins with a fair map.” The resolution advocates for the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise depiction of continents’ sizes.
While the resolution passed in the UN General Assembly with a vote of 164 to one and six abstentions, the United States was the sole dissenting vote. The US argued that the resolution promoted an ideological agenda and diverted attention from more pressing international issues.
Togo is taking proactive steps to implement this change by aiming to revise its school geography materials by the end of the year. Dussey expressed Togo’s commitment to being the first country to update its geography books, setting an example for other nations globally.
Furthermore, Togo plans to encourage governments, schools, international organizations, and technology firms to transition away from the outdated Mercator projection in favor of the Equal Earth projection, which offers a more accurate representation of the world.
Dussey highlighted that the campaign to adopt the new map aligns with broader African efforts to address colonial legacies and is not a critique of any particular civilization. He emphasized that as the world evolves, so does Africa.