Current Affairs 4 September 2026

UN Approves Resolution to Replace Mercator Map with Equal Earth Projection Highlighting Africa's True Size

On 4 September 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by Togo and backed by the African Union to promote the use of the Equal Earth map projection instead of the traditional Mercator projection. The resolution passed with 164 votes in favor, 6 abstentions, and only 1 opposing vote from the United States. This change addresses centuries-old distortions that minimized Africa’s size on maps, impacting global perception. The new map projection preserves relative land areas, presenting a more accurate view of continents, especially Africa, which is about 14 times larger than Greenland—often portrayed similarly sized in Mercator maps. Implementation plans include updates in education and public information starting late 2026.