The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday, opting to move away from the outdated Mercator global map in favor of a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes. This resolution, spearheaded by African nations, aims to combat the perception that Africa is marginalized.

Togo took the lead in championing this initiative, aligning with the African Union’s efforts to reduce the use of the Mercator map. This map distorts the size of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles, such as making Greenland appear comparable in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.

In anticipation of the vote, Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey emphasized the importance of a fair map, stating that a fair world starts with an accurate representation of countries. The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection as a more precise depiction of continent sizes.

Notably, the resolution, which promotes the Equal Earth projection, received overwhelming support in the UN General Assembly, with 164 countries voting in favor, one against, and six abstentions. The United States, the sole dissenting vote, criticized the resolution for advancing an ideological agenda and diverting attention from pressing international issues.

While the Mercator map remains prevalent in educational settings, Togo aims to update its school geography materials by the year’s end. Minister Dussey expressed Togo’s commitment to being the first country to revise its geography books, setting an example for other nations.

Furthermore, Togo plans to advocate for the transition away from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth model among governments, schools, international bodies, and technology firms. Minister Dussey emphasized the Equal Earth projection as offering the most accurate depiction of the world.

Looking ahead, Togo intends to collaborate with African Union members and global allies over the next six months to facilitate broader adoption of the Equal Earth projection. Minister Dussey underscored the importance of engaging mapping, GPS, and location-based technology companies in this transition.

Dussey contextualized the map adoption campaign within broader African initiatives to address colonial legacies, clarifying that it is not an affront to any particular civilization. He attributed the pervasive use of the Mercator map to historical colonization and emphasized Africa’s evolving role in the global landscape.