WORLD · 05 Sep 2026 · 03:38 GMT ·2 min read

UN General Assembly Passes 'Correct the Map' Resolution to Replace 1569 Mercator Projection

The UN General Assembly voted 164-1, with six abstentions, to adopt a new world map projection.

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BBC World

The UN General Assembly voted 164-1, with six abstentions, to adopt a new world map projection. This move replaces the 1569 Mercator map. The resolution, titled 'Correct the Map,' addresses distortions that depict Africa as similar in size to Greenland. In reality, Africa is 14 times larger. The African Union led the initiative after adopting the Equal Earth projection in February 2026. France plans to transition to the Eckert IV projection. The United States cast the sole dissenting vote, stating the measure distracts from core international priorities.

Context

Gerardus Mercator created the Mercator projection in 1569. This map became a global standard for navigation. It maintains accurate compass bearings for sea travel.

The projection distorts the relative size of landmasses near the poles. The African Union endorsed the "#CorrectTheMap" campaign in August 2025. This initiative aims to address these geographic inaccuracies.

Supportive perspectives

The resolution corrects a 500-year-old distortion where the Mercator map depicts Africa as similar in size to Greenland. Africa is 14 times larger than Greenland. This change provides a more accurate representation of global landmasses.
The 54 member states of the African Union advocate for this shift. The organization adopted the "Equal Earth" projection in February 2026 to ensure the continent is represented with geographic accuracy.
164 countries voted in favor of the resolution at the UN General Assembly. France committed to the transition. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that the country will adopt the Eckert IV projection.
Togo will host an implementation event in Lomé during the first quarter of 2027. UNESCO, the African Union, and Google Maps are partnering to integrate the new projections into digital and educational tools.

Critical perspectives

The United States cast the only vote against the resolution. US Representative Yaryna Ferencevych stated the initiative distracts the UN General Assembly from addressing more pressing issues of international peace and prosperity.
The transition requires a global overhaul of mapping standards, educational materials, and digital platforms. The resolution passed, but updating these systems across 164 countries creates a major logistical task.
The resolution mandates a policy shift requiring individual state action. Success depends on whether nations update their internal cartographic standards.
Cartographers state that no map projection is fully accurate. The Equal Earth and Eckert IV projections involve trade-offs between shape and size accuracy. These models differ from the distortions found in the Mercator projection.