The United Nations voted on Friday to replace the outdated Mercator global map with a more accurate representation of countries’ true sizes. The resolution, led by Togo and supported by African nations, aims to address the misconception that Africa is on the periphery.

The Mercator map distorts the relative sizes of land masses by exaggerating those closer to the poles, making Greenland appear similar in size to Africa, despite Africa being significantly larger. Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, emphasized the importance of a fair map for a fair world.

The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection, which provides a more precise depiction of continent sizes. While not legally binding, it does not challenge the use of the Mercator projection for navigation purposes.

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed the resolution with 164 in favor, one against (the United States), and six abstentions. The US criticized the resolution as promoting an ideological agenda and diverting attention from pressing global issues.

Togo intends to update its school geography materials by the end of the year, becoming the first country to do so. Dussey expressed the hope that this initiative would inspire other nations to follow suit. Togo plans to advocate for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection across governments, schools, international bodies, and technology firms.

Dussey emphasized that this effort aligns with broader African initiatives to address colonial legacies and is not aimed at any specific civilization. He highlighted the evolving nature of the world and Africa’s role in that transformation.