Togo UN Resolution Map Correction: Addressing Global Distortions

• The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on September 4, with 164 votes, to correct global map representations, particularly for Africa.
• Initiated by Togo on behalf of the African Union, the resolution challenges the Mercator projection for distorting Africa's size.
• Togolese diplomacy views the correction as an act of cognitive justice and historical truth, addressing lasting cognitive and socioeconomic repercussions.
• The resolution encourages the adoption of equivalent projections like the Equal Earth projection, already adopted by the African Union, for educational and institutional use.
• It calls on member states, international organizations, and tech companies to integrate accurate maps and critical cartography into their systems and curricula.

The resolution frames this correction not merely as a technical adjustment but as "an act of cognitive justice, memorial reparation, and historical truth."

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a significant resolution aimed at addressing historical inaccuracies in global cartographic representation. On Friday, September 4, in New York, 164 member states voted in favor of the resolution titled "Correcting the Map: Rebalancing Global Cartographic Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of World Regions, Especially Africa." This initiative, championed by Togo on behalf of the African Union, directly challenges the pervasive use of the Mercator projection, which has long been criticized for misrepresenting the true scale of the African continent.

The adoption of this Togo UN resolution map correction marks a pivotal moment in global cartography. It underscores a collective recognition of the need for more accurate and equitable depictions of the world, moving beyond traditional, often Eurocentric, mapping conventions. The resolution's passage reflects a growing international consensus on the importance of critical cartography and its impact on global perceptions.

The core issue highlighted by the resolution is the Mercator projection's tendency to drastically reduce the perceived size of Africa and other regions, leading to what Togolese diplomacy describes as "lasting cognitive, educational, cultural, geopolitical, and socioeconomic repercussions." These distortions, according to Lomé, have contributed to a "drastic reduction of Africa's size and other world regions in the global collective imagination." The resolution frames this correction not merely as a technical adjustment but as "an act of cognitive justice, memorial reparation, and historical truth."

This call for a Mercator projection resolution acknowledges that maps are not neutral scientific instruments but powerful tools that shape understanding and influence perceptions of global power dynamics and development. The historical prevalence of the Mercator projection, particularly in educational materials and media, has ingrained a skewed view of the world, diminishing the visual prominence of continents like Africa and South America relative to their actual landmass.

To rectify these long-standing issues, the resolution actively encourages the adoption of equivalent projections, specifically endorsing the Equal Earth projection. This particular projection, which has already seen Equal Earth projection adoption by the African Union, is lauded for providing "a fairer representation of the actual dimensions of continents." It is envisioned to become a new benchmark for educational, institutional, and media applications, fostering a more accurate global cartographic representation.

Beyond advocating for alternative projections, the resolution issues several calls to action. It urges member states to integrate these more accurate maps into educational and administrative tools, incorporate critical cartography into school curricula, and bolster geospatial capabilities in developing nations. Furthermore, it invites international bodies like UNESCO and UNDP to establish unified geospatial standards and calls upon technology companies to engage in "constructive dialogue" to embed more faithful maps within their digital platforms and systems.

The timing of this resolution is particularly significant, aligning with the International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034) and the African Union's proclaimed Decade of Action for Justice and Reparations (2026-2036). Robert Dussey, the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking on behalf of Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers, underscored the profound symbolic weight of the resolution in his UN speech. He declared the adoption a "victory for accuracy, and for every child who will now grow up seeing Africa's true place in the world."

This Togo African Union diplomacy effort is not intended to be a mere symbolic gesture. Togo has committed to actively pursuing the concrete implementation of the resolution's directives. This includes integrating the new cartographic standards "in classrooms, in institutions, and on platforms that shape how the world sees itself," signaling a long-term commitment to reshaping global perceptions through improved map accuracy.

While not immediately legally binding, this UN resolution signals an evolving international norm regarding cartographic representation, particularly for Africa. Lawyers advising tech companies, educational institutions, or international organizations should monitor for potential future guidelines or standards related to geospatial data and map usage, as this resolution encourages states and entities to adopt new projections and integrate critical cartography into their systems.

Source: Original reporting via RFI