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3 clusters · 559 sources · 5 days · First seen · Last updated

UN approves resolution to correct global map distortions

Overview

On September 4, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly approved the ‘Correct the Map’ resolution, an initiative led by Togo and supported by the African Union. The nonbinding resolution encourages a transition from the Mercator projection to the ‘Equal Earth’ projection to correct cartographic distortions that disproportionately enlarge northern landmasses while minimizing equatorial regions like Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor, six abstentions, and a single dissenting vote from the United States. The U.S. characterized the move as a ‘radical ideological project,’ with some opposition citing concerns regarding a focus on ‘reparations’ and ‘cognitive justice.’ Diplomatic friction emerged from the abstentions; Ukraine filed a formal protest, calling the projection ‘completely unacceptable’ because it colors the Crimean Peninsula grey, visually separating it from the rest of Ukraine. Serbia also abstained, noting the projection depicts Kosovo as a separate state, contradicting its constitutional framework. Other nations that abstained included Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, and Moldova. The European Union supported the resolution but clarified it does not impact territorial sovereignty or internationally recognized borders.

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey emphasized that maps shape global understanding, stating that a more faithful representation can better reflect Africa’s real wealth and potential. Following the vote, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) announced it will release new world maps for the 2024–2026 period using the Equal Earth projection. On September 8, France announced its support for the initiative, with its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs pledging to renounce the Mercator projection within its diplomatic network. On September 9, the United Nations officially recommended the use of an ‘Equal Earth’ world map.

Entities

African Union · United States · Robert Dussey · Equal Earth · United Nations General Assembly

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Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 139 sources
    United Nations adopts new world map projection to correct landmass distortions

    The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution to adopt the 'Equal Earth' map projection to more accurately represent the size of landmasses, specifically correcting the historical underrepresentation of de-

  2. 7 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 391 sources
    United Nations adopts resolution promoting Equal Earth map projection

    The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution encouraging the use of the Equal Earth map projection to provide a more accurate representation of continental sizes, specifically addressing Mercator distortions.

  3. 9 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 53 sources
    UN General Assembly adopts resolution to correct global map distortions

    The UN General Assembly passed the ‘Correct the Map’ resolution, encouraging more accurate world maps like the Equal Earth projection to fix distortions that minimize the perceived size of Africa and the Global

Sources

24.hu · 324.cat · 360mozambique.com · 5septiembre.cu · 6yka.com · 92q.com · aajsamaaj.com · abc17news.com · acessa.com · actu.capital.fr · adevarul.ro · adomonline.com · aduc.it · afreepress.tg · africa.businessinsider.com · africanewsanalysis.com · africanlegends.files.wordpress.com · africapresse.com · afrikactus.com · afrique-news.tg · agenparl.eu · agniban.com · ait.live · ajkerpatrika.com · akhbarona.com · akhbrna.ae · aktuality.sk · algoafm.co.za · almanartv.com.lb · alyaoum24.com · amazoniaonline.com.br · americafirstreport.com · amigoearuba.com · anglophone-direct.com · antaranews.com · antiguatribune.com · apach57.fr · arabic.cnn.com · archdaily.mx · artigercek.com · asianlite.com · assamtribune.com · athina984.gr · atlanticinfos.com · australosorno.cl · axadletimes.com · backchannels.com · bahamasspectator.com

This summary has been updated 24 times: see revision history