U.N. to Vote on African Proposal for a New World Map

Live updates

1. 9h ago

   UN Adopts Equal Scale World Map Following African Proposal

   The United Nations General Assembly adopted an African-led resolution on Friday, September 4, 2026, endorsing world maps that accurately represent the true size of continents, notably correcting the traditional shrinking of Africa. The United States cast the sole opposing vote, while Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained. The vote follows long-standing complaints from the African Union regarding unrealistic continental representations on standard projections like the Mercator map, leading to a newly endorsed equal-scale layout that also alters the shape of Australia.

   Why it matters

   Traditional map projections like the Mercator model famously distort landmasses by enlarging areas farther from the equator, causing continents like Africa and regions like Australia to appear drastically smaller than their actual geographic scale. This vote addresses decades of African Union grievances regarding geographic representation in global institutions and educational materials. The transition to a new standard projection impacts global cartography standards and international mapping practices.

   What is confirmed

   • The United Nations General Assembly voted on an African-led initiative on Friday, September 4, 2026.
   • The United States cast the only vote against the resolution.
   • Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine abstained from the vote.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Australia has been given a new shape under the newly approved map changes.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation of the new map standards across UN bodies and member states
   • Potential shifts in international cartography and educational publishing following the vote
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.dailymail.com — Australia gets a new shape in world map - as debate erupts over controversial changes
   2. allafrica.com — Africa: UN to Vote On Resolution to Replace World Map That Shrinks Africa's Size
   3. brusselssignal.eu — UN wants different maps so Africa wouldn’t look small
   4. www.togofirst.com — Togo Scores UN Win in Push to Correct Africa’s Size on World Maps
   confidence 100%
2. 1d ago

   U.N. General Assembly Endorses Equal Earth Map

   The U.N. General Assembly voted 164-1 to endorse the Equal Earth map, which shows Africa's true size compared to the distorted Mercator projection. The U.S. was the only nation to oppose the new map. The Equal Earth projection aims to display countries in their true scale, addressing long-standing complaints from the African Union regarding unrealistic continental representations on traditional map projections.

   Why it matters

   The adoption of the Equal Earth map is a culmination of a recent campaign led by African countries and advocacy groups to challenge historical geographical distortions and promote more accurate global visual representations. The reform efforts seek to display Africa and other regions in their true scale, changing the way the world is mapped. France previously announced it would abandon the distorted Mercator map projection in favor of a more balanced geography.

   What is confirmed

   • The U.N. General Assembly voted 164-1 to endorse the Equal Earth map.
   • The U.S. was the only nation to oppose the new map.
   • The Equal Earth map shows Africa's true size compared to the distorted Mercator projection.

   What to watch next

   • The implementation of the Equal Earth map by countries and international organizations.
   • The response of other countries to the U.S. opposition to the new map.
   • The potential adoption of the Equal Earth map by educational institutions and media outlets.
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. nypost.com — UN endorses new world map showing Africa’s true size — after US voted against it
   2. www.inquirer.com — U.N. approves African proposal for a new world map
   3. www.nbcnews.com — U.N. General Assembly endorses a new world map that shows Africa’s size more accurately
   4. www.israelnationalnews.com — UN presents a new world map
   5. www.ms.now — ‘Radical’: U.S. rejects U.N.-adopted world map adjusting Africa’s size
   confidence 90%
3. 2d ago

   UN Approves Resolution Supporting New World Map

   The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting a new world map designed to display Africa and other regions in their true scale. The vote follows a motion brought by Togo and addresses long-standing complaints from the African Union regarding unrealistic continental representations on traditional map projections. Ahead of the global vote, France announced it would abandon the distorted Mercator map projection in favor of a more balanced geography. The reform efforts seek to challenge historical geographical distortions and promote more accurate global visual representations.

   Why it matters

   Traditional global cartography relies heavily on projections like the Mercator map, which significantly distorts the relative size of landmasses by enlarging areas farther from the equator at the expense of equatorial regions. For decades, the African Union and various member states have argued that these visual distortions diminish the perceived geographical and political significance of African nations. Shifting toward more accurate geographical standards carries implications for education, international relations, and how populations perceive global proportions.

   What is confirmed

   • The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in support of a map showing Africa's true size following a proposal by Togo.
   • A total of 164 countries voted to correct the world map.
   • France announced it would abandon the distorted Mercator map projection.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Even Trump has been fooled by the distorted world map.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation steps by member nations following the UN resolution.
   • Adoption timelines for the new map standards in international institutions and educational materials.
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. The New York Times — U.N. to Vote on African Proposal for a New World Map
   2. The Guardian — UN to vote on adopting new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
   3. The Independent — Even Trump has been fooled by the distorted world map – why it’s time to change it
   4. Yahoo — France to abandon 'distorted' Mercator map projection: minister
   5. Newsweek — U.N. Votes on Major Change to World Map: How Different Versions Compare
   6. cnn.com — UN to vote on adopting new map that would make our world look very different
   7. Le Monde.fr — France adopts fairer world map ahead of UN vote on more balanced geography
   8. Reuters — UN approves resolution in support of map that shows Africa's true size
   9. www.kenyans.co.ke — 164 Countries Vote to Correct World Map, Giving Kenya & Africa True Size
   10. www.bluewin.ch — UN Votes in Favor of World Map Reform Following Togo's Proposal
   confidence 95%