The Straits Times World News
· collected 2026-09-04 · by The Straits Times
The UN General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution sponsored by African states to promote the Equal Earth projection, which accurately represents the size of continents, over the 16th-century Mercator map. The resolution passed with 164 votes in support and only 1 vote against from the US, with 6 countries abstaining. Togo led the initiative, citing that the Mercator map makes Africa appear smaller than Greenland, when in fact it is about 14 times larger. The resolution is not legally binding but aims to encourage schools, governments, and companies to adopt the Equal Earth projection, starting with Togo's plan to change its school geography materials by the end of the year.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 4, the United Nations General Assembly voted to adopt a new world map that more accurately reflects the size of Africa and other continents. The resolution, sponsored by several African countries, including Togo, passed with the support of 164 countries and was opposed only by the United States. The old Mercator projection map had been widely used since the 16th century but had been criticized for distorting the relative size of land masses, making Africa appear smaller than it is. The new Equal Earth cartographic projection more accurately portrays the size of continents, with Africa appearing 14 times larger than Greenland. While the UN resolution is non-binding, it is expected to lead to changes in the maps used by institutions around the world, including schools and technology companies. Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said that maps "guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions" and that a fair map is essential for a fair world.
Written for “UN Adopts New World Map” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 10 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but every quote it verified points left, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
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Leaning score withheld for article 4142: score contradicts its own evidence · logged 2026-09-04
UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size
NEW YORK, Sept 4 - The United Nations on Friday voted for a shift away from the 16th-century Mercator global map towards one more accurately reflecting countries' true size, a resolution sponsored by African states to counter perceptions that the continent is peripheral.
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continent → approve → perceptions
Togo led the initiative to further the African Union campaign to limit use of the Mercator map, which distorts the relative size of land masses by expanding those nearer the poles.
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which → lead → poles
It makes Greenland appear roughly the same size as Africa, though Africa is about 14 times larger.
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Africa → make → Africa
"A fair world begins with a fair map," Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told Reuters ahead of Friday's vote.
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Minister → begin → vote
The resolution promotes the Equal Earth projection, which more accurately portrays the size of the continents.
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which → promote → continents
It is not legally binding and it "in no way challenges the use of the Mercator projection for maritime and aerial navigation, for which it remains fully suited," the Togolese ministry said in a statement.
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ministry → challenge → statement
The resolution passed in the U.N. General Assembly by a vote of 164 to 1 with 6 abstentions.
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resolution → pass → abstentions
The United States, the only country to vote against the resolution, said it promoted an "ideological agenda" and was a distraction from the "genuine problems of international peace, prosperity or good relations".
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it → vote → peace
TOGO TO CHANGE MAPS IN SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, MINISTER SAYS
The Mercator map remains widely used in classrooms, but Togo hopes to change its school geography materials by the end of the year, Dussey told Reuters.
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Dussey → change → Reuters
"Togo will be the first country to change our own geography books," Dussey said.
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Dussey → change → books
"In the classroom, we need to change it to give an example to all the countries in the world.
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we → need → world
"
Togo will press other governments, schools, international organisations and technology companies to move away from the centuries-old Mercator projection, Dussey said, adding that Equal Earth offers "the best perception" of the world.
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Earth → press → world
Togo plans to meet African Union member states and supporters from other regions within the next six months to agree on how to promote wider adoption, Dussey said.
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Dussey → plan → adoption
Dussey said the discussion about next steps would need to include companies operating mapping, GPS and other location-based technologies.
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discussion → say → mapping
Dussey linked the campaign to adopt the map to wider African efforts to confront colonial-era legacies, while saying it was not an attack on Europe or any other civilisation.
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it → link → Europe
The Mercator map's widespread use is a consequence of colonization, he said.
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he → say → colonization
"The world is changing.
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world → change → ?
Africa also is changing."
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Africa → change → ?
