The United Nations recently approved a resolution aimed at moving away from the Mercator global map, which has been in use since the 16th century, to a more accurate representation of countries’ true size. This resolution was put forward by African nations to combat the perception that Africa is marginalized.
Togo spearheaded this initiative as part of the African Union’s efforts to reduce the reliance on the Mercator map, known for distorting the size of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. For instance, it incorrectly depicts Greenland as being similar in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the importance of using a fair map for a fair world. The resolution advocates for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more realistic portrayal of continent sizes.
While the resolution is not legally binding, it does not challenge the continued use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, where it remains suitable. The resolution was passed in the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support, receiving 164 votes in favor, one against, and six abstentions.
The United States was the sole country to vote against the resolution, citing concerns about promoting an ideological agenda and diverting attention from pressing issues related to international peace and prosperity.
Togo plans to lead by example by updating its school geography materials to reflect the Equal Earth projection by the end of the year. Dussey expressed Togo’s intention to advocate for the transition to the Equal Earth projection among other nations, educational institutions, international bodies, and technology firms.
Furthermore, Togo aims to collaborate with African Union members and allies from various regions in the coming months to encourage broader adoption of the Equal Earth projection. Dussey highlighted that discussions on implementation strategies should involve companies involved in mapping, GPS, and location-based technologies.
Dussey underscored that the campaign to embrace the Equal Earth projection aligns with broader African initiatives to address colonial-era legacies and is not intended as an affront to any specific civilization. He emphasized that the world is evolving, including Africa, and it is crucial to embrace accurate representations on maps.