US opposes UN adoption of map showing Africa’s true size

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution urging a move away from the traditional Mercator projection of the world, with the United States voting against the measure. The resolution, introduced by Togo and supported by the African Union, received 164 votes in favor, six abstentions, and one vote against from the US.

The resolution calls for UN member states, international organizations, and others to promote more accurate maps, particularly those that better depict the relative size of continents, especially Africa. The Mercator projection, a 16th-century map projection still commonly used, distorts landmass sizes, particularly those near the poles, making regions like Africa appear smaller relative to Europe and North America.

Togo's Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized that map distortions have historically contributed to the symbolic minimization of Africa's size and other regions, impacting cognitive justice and access to precise geographical knowledge. The resolution also emphasizes the need for enhanced mapping capabilities and research in developing countries, including Africa.

The US, represented by Ambassador Mike Waltz, criticized the resolution as an "ideological exercise" that undermines the UN's credibility, arguing that it distracts from more pressing issues like international peace. Ukraine, however, abstained from the vote, citing concerns over the Equal Earth projection's depiction of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory by Russia, which violates international law and UN resolutions on Ukraine's territorial integrity.