UN Adopts New World Map to Reflect Africa's True Size

PHNOM PENH, September 7, 2026 – The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution encouraging the use of world maps that more accurately reflect the true size of continents, particularly Africa.

The "Correct the Map" resolution, sponsored by Togo and backed by the African Union, passed with 164 votes in favour, one against, and six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.

The Mercator map, in common use since the 16th century, has been widely criticised for distorting landmasses near the poles while shrinking those near the equator. As a result, Africa appears roughly the same size as Greenland, even though it is actually 14 times larger.

"Map is never neutral. It shapes perceptions," said Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that France would stop using the Mercator map, stating that "changing a distorted representation is already an act of truth."

The US representative, Yaryna Ferencevych, criticised the resolution as an ideological agenda and a distraction from real issues of international peace and prosperity.

The resolution is non-binding but is expected to influence the maps used by institutions worldwide.

— Sources: BBC News,

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce30vp55dnlo

UN News

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/09/1168284

Reported by The Khmer Today