The United Nations made a significant decision on Friday to transition from the outdated Mercator global map to a more precise representation of countries’ actual sizes. The move, spearheaded by African nations, aims to address the misconception that Africa is on the periphery of the world stage.

Togo took the lead in pushing for this change, aligning with the African Union’s initiative to reduce the use of the Mercator map. This map distorts the proportions of land masses by enlarging those closer to the poles, such as Greenland, which appears similar in size to Africa despite Africa being approximately 14 times larger.

“A fair world starts with an accurate map,” stated Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey prior to the vote. The resolution endorses the Equal Earth projection, known for its more precise depiction of continent sizes.

While the resolution passed in the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support (164 to one, with six abstentions), the United States was the sole dissenting vote. The U.S. argued that the resolution pushed a specific agenda and diverted attention from pressing issues related to global peace and prosperity.

Togo is taking concrete steps to implement this change by aiming to update its school geography materials by the end of the year. Dussey highlighted that Togo will be the first country to revise its geography books, setting an example for other nations globally.

Furthermore, Togo intends to advocate for the shift away from the outdated Mercator projection among governments, schools, international bodies, and tech companies. Dussey emphasized the importance of adopting the Equal Earth projection for a more accurate representation of the world.

Looking ahead, Togo plans to collaborate with African Union members and supporters from various regions in the coming months to promote broader acceptance of the new mapping approach. Dussey stressed that discussions on the next steps should involve companies utilizing mapping, GPS, and location technologies.

Dussey underscored that this initiative is part of broader African efforts to address colonial legacies and is not intended as an attack on any specific region. He highlighted that the prevalent use of the Mercator map stems from historical colonization and emphasized that both the world and Africa are evolving.