# United Nations cartographic representation disputes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/united-nations-cartographic-representation-disputes
> Updated: 2026-09-27T14:35:55.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

The United Nations General Assembly has moved to address geographic representation and cartographic distortions. In a recent development, the assembly adopted the “Correct the Map” resolution, which seeks to replace the traditional Mercator projection with the Equal Earth projection. This initiative, led by Togo and a coalition of African nations, aims to provide more equitable proportions for equatorial regions and Africa, correcting visual discrepancies where landmasses near the poles appear disproportionately large.

Proponents of the resolution argue that the shift is a step toward “decolonizing geography” to foster better international understanding. While 164 nations supported the measure, the United States was the sole country to vote against it.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: United Nations adopts resolution to rebalance global cartographic standards

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth projection to provide more equitable geographic representation of equatorial regions and Africa.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-nations-adopts-resolution-to-rebalance-global-cartographic-standards

### 2026-09-20: United Nations and U.S. face map disputes over geography and naming

Political disputes are surfacing over cartography, highlighted by a UN vote for a more accurate African map and U.S. executive orders renaming Lake Ontario and the Gulf of Mexico.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-nations-and-us-face-map-disputes-over-geography-and-naming

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Cite as: United Nations cartographic representation disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/united-nations-cartographic-representation-disputes