Africa’s true size gets UN backing as US votes against map resolution

Jukwaa

📻 Breaking It Down

The resolution, titled “Correct the map: rebalancing global cartographic representation and promoting equitable representation of the world’s regions, particularly Africa,” was adopted on Friday by 164 votes in favour to one against, with six abstentions.

The United States was the sole country to vote against the resolution, while Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained. African states backed the resolution unanimously.

The resolution calls for wider use of equal-area map projections, particularly the Equal Earth projection, in contexts where the comparative size of continents matters.

📌 What You Need to Know

Togo introduced the text on behalf of the Group of African States, arguing that distortions in commonly used world maps, particularly the Mercator projection, have contributed to a diminished perception of Africa and other equatorial regions.

Togo’s Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Dussey, who represented the country in the General Assembly, said the campaign was about correcting an established distortion rather than attacking a particular cartographic tradition.

“This discussion is not a political discussion [but] a scientific discussion, because there is scientific proof so we all have to accept the reality,” Dussey said ahead of the vote.

In a press release following the vote, UN noted the sponsors view the issue as more than a technical question of cartography, linking accurate mapping to cognitive justice, historical recognition and equitable representation.

The debate also focused on how maps influence education, public understanding, culture, geopolitics, development narratives and perceptions of Africa’s scale and potential.

“How do we represent the world? How do we teach it? How do generations learn to see our planet?” the Togolese representative asked the Assembly.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya

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