The United Nations General Assembly on Friday voted to adopt a new map depicting the African continent as bigger, while also shrinking North America and Europe. The resolution drew criticism from Washington.
The resolution aims to present a “more accurate representation” of continental landmasses. It was supported by 164 countries, with the United States voting against it and six other states abstaining, AFP reported.
The new map, known as the Equal Earth cartographic projection, improves “the accuracy of the cartographic representation of the world,”, according to the resolution.
It urged member states of use the new proposed map instead of the traditional Mercator projection, which was designed for maritime navigation by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569.
The African Mission to the UN welcomed the resolution as a “significant step towards ensuring that the map of the world reflects Africa’s true scale and place in the world.”
🎉Congratulations to the delegation of Togo 🇹🇬 on the adoption this morning by the #UNGA of resolution A/80/L.104, “Correct the Map”, an @_AfricanUnion initiative promoting more accurate and equitable global cartographic representation, particularly of #Africa.
A significant… pic.twitter.com/oxZCbeMUTt
— African Union Mission to the UN (@AfricanUnionUN) September 4, 2026
Foreign Minister Robert Dussey of Togo, which sponsored the resolution, said maps “guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions”, adding they are “forever neutral”, according to AFP.
“When they present a distorted image of our planet, they risk perpetuating inaccurate representation that is passed down through generations.”
US Slams Resolution
The resolution, however, did not sit well with Washington that accused the United Nations of losing sight of genuine problems.
“Instead of focusing on genuine problems… this body is debating map projects from the 16th century and their role in promoting reparations and cognitive justice,” US representative Yaryna Ferencevych said, AFP reported.
