164 nations back Africa’s true size on the map... But why did the US vote no?

Africa has won overwhelming backing at the United Nations for a campaign calling for more accurate world maps. An Africa-led resolution passed with 164 countries voting in favour, six abstaining and the United States voting against. The initiative challenges the long-standing Mercator projection, which can make Africa appear disproportionately smaller than its actual size. Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey argued that map projections can shape how generations perceive geography and the world. The African Union supports the Correct the Map campaign and promotes equal-area alternatives such as Equal Earth. The vote has reignited debate over geography, representation and global perceptions.