**Title: UN Adopts Resolution Promoting Equal Earth Map Projection to Address Geographic Distortions**
**Date: September 6, 2026**
In a significant move to address long-standing distortions in world maps, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution promoting the Equal Earth projection as an alternative to the traditional Mercator projection. The resolution passed with a vote of 164 to 1, with the United States being the only nation to oppose it, labeling the initiative a “radical ideological project.”
The Mercator projection, developed by cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569, has been the standard for world maps for over four centuries. While it was designed for maritime navigation and preserves angles and straight bearings, it significantly distorts the size of landmasses, particularly those closer to the equator. For instance, the map of Africa, which is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland, is often misrepresented, leading to misconceptions about the continent's true size and importance. This distortion has historically inflated the sizes of Europe, North America, and parts of Russia while minimizing the representation of Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
The resolution, led by Togo on behalf of the African Group and supported by the African Union, encourages educational institutions, tech companies, and other organizations to adopt the Equal Earth projection, which accurately reflects the true proportions of continents. Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey emphasized the importance of maps in shaping education and collective perception, stating that the resolution affirms the reality of Africa and aims to correct historical inaccuracies.
The UNGA's decision is nonbinding, meaning it does not impose a mandatory replacement of the Mercator projection but rather encourages its wider use. The African Group, which consists of 54 member states, is the largest regional voting bloc at the UN and has been advocating for this change to ensure a more equitable representation of all countries on world maps.
In the lead-up to the vote, U.S. representative Yaryna Ferencevych expressed opposition, arguing that the UN should focus on more pressing global issues rather than debating map projections. Other nations, including Serbia, Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, and Ukraine, abstained from voting.
The Equal Earth projection, adopted by the African Union in March, seeks to preserve true area, allowing for a more honest comparison of continents, albeit at the cost of slightly bending their outlines. This approach contrasts with the Mercator projection's focus on preserving angles, which has shaped perceptions of the world for nearly 500 years.
Looking ahead, Togo is planning a meeting in Lome early next year in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union, and technology companies, including Google, to discuss the practical implementation of the Equal Earth projection. The initiative aims to promote a more accurate understanding of global geography, particularly in educational contexts.
As the world grapples with the implications of geographic representation, the UNGA's resolution marks a pivotal step toward addressing the historical biases embedded in traditional mapping techniques. The shift to the Equal Earth projection could redefine how nations and continents are perceived, fostering a more equitable understanding of global geography.