The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to transition from the traditional Mercator global map, dating back to the 16th century, towards a more accurate representation of countries’ actual sizes. This move, proposed by African nations, aims to challenge the perception that Africa is on the periphery.
Togo spearheaded this initiative in alignment with the African Union’s efforts to reduce the use of the Mercator map, known for distorting the relative sizes of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles. Notably, this projection makes Greenland appear similar in size to Africa, despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.
Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the importance of a fair map, stating, “A fair world begins with a fair map.” The resolution advocates for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, which accurately depicts the sizes of continents.
While the resolution passed in the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support (164 to 1, with six abstentions), the United States stood as the sole dissenting vote, citing concerns about promoting an ideological agenda and diverting attention from pressing global issues.
Togo plans to take concrete steps by updating its school geography materials by the end of the year, becoming the first country to make this change. Dussey expressed the intention to set an example for other nations, urging a shift away from the outdated Mercator projection towards the more accurate Equal Earth model.
Furthermore, Togo aims to collaborate with African Union members and global partners to encourage wider adoption of the Equal Earth projection. Dussey emphasized the importance of engaging with mapping, GPS, and location-based technology companies in this endeavor.
This initiative is part of broader efforts in Africa to address colonial legacies and promote a more accurate representation of the continent without targeting any specific region. Dussey highlighted that the world and Africa are evolving, signaling the need for updated perspectives and representations.