The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has endorsed a resolution aimed at promoting the adoption of equal-area world maps, including the Equal Earth projection, to rectify longstanding distortions in how Africa and other equatorial regions are represented. This resolution, titled “Correct the Map: Rebalancing Global Cartographic Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of the World’s Regions, Particularly Africa,” received overwhelming support with 164 votes in favor and only one against, while six countries abstained.
The United States, which opposed the measure, along with Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine, abstained from voting. The proposal was primarily sponsored by member states of the African Union (AU) and encourages governments, educational institutions, international organizations, and technology firms to utilize equal-area projections that accurately represent the comparative sizes of continents.
Foreign Minister of Togo, Robert Dussey, introduced the resolution on behalf of the Group of African States, emphasizing that the discussion transcends cartography and impacts how societies perceive the world. He stated that traditional maps, which have been widely used in textbooks and other media, often exaggerate Europe’s size while minimizing Africa’s depiction.
Dussey articulated the intention behind the resolution as not being adversarial but rather as a call for equitable representation for all regions. He noted that correcting geographical perceptions can influence education, culture, geopolitics, and the overall narrative surrounding Africa’s potential.
Despite the resolution’s non-binding nature, it aims to promote the Equal Earth projection without supplanting the widely used Mercator projection, especially in navigation. Togo has committed to leading the charge in this initiative, with plans to revise its own geography curricula as a model for other nations.
Dussey concluded by emphasizing the need for a more just perspective of the world, which he claims could lead to enhanced understanding and peace among nations. The campaign is intended to address the lingering impacts of colonialism and advocate for improved global representation of Africa.
