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UN General Assembly adopts resolution to correct global map distortions
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted the ‘Correct the Map’ resolution, an initiative led by Togo on behalf of the African Union and supported by the Bahamas. The resolution aims to address historical cartographic distortions caused by the Mercator projection, which has been the global standard since 1569. Critics argue the Mercator projection causes a ‘symbolic minimization’ of regions in the Global South, such as Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, by making them appear disproportionately smaller than northern landmasses. For example, while Greenland appears similar in size to Africa on a Mercator map, Africa is actually approximately 14 times larger.
The resolution encourages the adoption of the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately represents the relative sizes of continents. The vote concluded with 164 member states in favor, six abstentions, and the United States as the sole dissenting vote. The U.S. characterized the resolution as promoting an ‘ideological agenda’ and a distraction from international peace and prosperity.
Although the resolution is non-binding and does not mandate the removal of Mercator maps—which remain useful for maritime and aerial navigation—it calls on governments, educational institutions, and technology companies to integrate more equitable projections into textbooks, digital interfaces, and official administrative tools to foster a more balanced global perception.
Entities
African Union · Bahamas · Equal Earth · Equal Earth projection · Gerardus Mercator · Robert Dussey · Togo · United Nations General Assembly · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 26 SOURCES] The resolution encourages the adoption of the Equal Earth projection. eco.sapo.pt · chale.news · www.aftonbladet.se · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.vilaweb.cat · +21 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] The United States was the only country to vote against the resolution. www.vilaweb.cat · abc17news.com · eco.sapo.pt · chale.news · www.aftonbladet.se · +25 more
- [DISPUTED] The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor, six abstentions, and one vote against. www.vilaweb.cat · abc17news.com · eco.sapo.pt · chale.news · www.aftonbladet.se · +25 more
- [● 28 SOURCES] The UN General Assembly approved a resolution to move away from the Mercator projection. www.vilaweb.cat · abc17news.com · eco.sapo.pt · chale.news · www.aftonbladet.se · +23 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] Africa is approximately 14 times larger than Greenland. www.vilaweb.cat · abc17news.com · eco.sapo.pt · chale.news · www.aftonbladet.se · +21 more
- [● 22 SOURCES] The resolution is non-binding and does not force states or institutions to change their maps. www.vilaweb.cat · chale.news · www.aftonbladet.se · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · abc17news.com · +17 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Six countries—Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine—abstained from the vote. etv.me · www.kurir.rs · www.index.hr · eco.sapo.pt · chale.news · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] 164 member states voted for the resolution, while the United States was the only country to vote against it. etv.me · tocka.com.mk · www.kurir.rs · www.index.hr
- [● 12 SOURCES] The Mercator projection distorts landmasses, making Africa appear similar in size to Greenland despite Africa being 14 times larger. etv.me · tocka.com.mk · www.kurir.rs · www.index.hr · oriinfos.com · +7 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The UN General Assembly resolution is not legally binding but aims to influence educational and digital mapping standards. tocka.com.mk · www.kurir.rs · afrique-news.tg · www.aftonbladet.se · rr.pt · +4 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] The resolution was proposed by Togo and supported by the African Union and the Bahamas. etv.me · tocka.com.mk · www.kurir.rs · www.index.hr · afrique-news.tg · +15 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] The UN General Assembly passed the 'Correct the Map' resolution to promote maps showing accurate relative land sizes. etv.me · tocka.com.mk · www.kurir.rs · www.index.hr · afrique-news.tg · +19 more