Togo has taken another step forward on the international diplomatic stage. Put forward on behalf of the African Group, its “Correct The Map” initiative has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The decision has reignited the debate over how Africa is represented on world maps and the perceptions these representations can convey.
It was in New York, on Friday, September 4, 2026, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution introduced by Togo in favor of a fairer cartographic representation of the world. The text received 164 votes in favor, one against, and six abstentions. For the African Union, the result above all demonstrates the ability of African states to speak with one voice and promote a common initiative within the international community.
“This adoption comes as a historic moment for Africa and for the world. It affirms the need for a more accurate, more balanced, and more geographically faithful representation of our planet. A map is indeed a technical tool, but it is also an instrument of knowledge and representation that shapes how people and continents perceive themselves.”Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Togo
Beyond the map itself, the issue is also political and diplomatic. The initiative seeks to reshape perceptions of the world, particularly those influenced by the Mercator projection, which visually reduces the size of regions located farther from the equator. With this resolution, the African Union now hopes that international institutions, education systems, publishers, and digital platforms will gradually promote maps that more accurately reflect geographical realities. The initiative also enables the continent to advocate for a representation based on scientific data rather than inherited perceptions.
“Certain projections used for centuries and decades portray Africa and other regions of the world in ways that do not reflect their actual landmass. Correcting the map, therefore, also means correcting a perception.”
Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Togo
With “Correct The Map”, the challenge now is to translate the resolution into practice. The initiative’s proponents are calling on international institutions, education systems, publishers and digital platforms to progressively adopt maps that more accurately reflect the actual size of territories. A change that could take hold over time as these new representations are adopted and widely used.
“Togo and African Union will work together to implement the decision that we took today here.”
Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Togo
For the African Union, this adoption represents a diplomatic victory for Togo and the African Group. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it could gradually influence how the world is represented in schools, institutions, and digital tools. Beyond the map itself, what is ultimately at stake is Africa’s place and image in the world.
