‘Correct the map’: Why UN has backed Africa-led push to phase out 450-yr-old 2D projection of the world - ThePrint

**UN backs Africa‑led effort to retire the 450‑year‑old Mercator map**

*New York (UN) –* On 13 September 2024 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution that urges member states and UN bodies to phase out the Mercator projection – a 1569 map style that has for centuries rendered the African continent far smaller than its true land area. The resolution, introduced by the African Union and co‑sponsored by 23 nations across Africa, the Caribbean and the Global South, calls for the replacement of the Mercator image with more proportionally accurate visualisations such as the Gall‑Peters or the Equal‑Earth projection in all UN publications, educational resources and official communications. The move follows a long‑running campaign by African scholars, educators and civil‑society groups who argue that the distortion reinforces outdated geopolitical narratives and undermines Africa’s visibility on the world stage.

The vote, taken during the 80th session of the General Assembly, recorded overwhelming support: 130 countries voted in favour, 10 against and 15 abstentions. India, a key non‑African ally of the proposal, cast a “yes” vote, citing the need for “maps that reflect reality and foster mutual respect among nations.” The United Nations Secretariat has already begun the administrative work of updating its digital and print cartographic assets, and the resolution invites UNESCO and the International Cartographic Association to develop guidelines for member states wishing to adopt the new standards in school curricula and public signage.

Reactions from the international community have been largely positive, with many educators welcoming the prospect of teaching geography using maps that convey accurate size relationships. Critics, however, warn that changing a map that is embedded in centuries of commercial, navigational and digital infrastructure will be costly and may encounter resistance from industries that still rely on the Mercator projection for certain technical applications. Nonetheless, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres praised the decision as “a step toward de‑colonising the visual language of our planet,” emphasizing that the symbolic correction of Africa’s size is part of a broader effort to address historic inequities in global representation.