US casts sole vote against UN resolution on world map projections

The short version

• The UN passed the Togo-introduced 'Correct the Map' resolution by a 164-1 vote, with six abstentions and the US casting the only 'no' vote.[The Hill]
• The measure promotes equal-area projections like the 2018 Equal Earth projection to show accurate relative country sizes, without banning the Mercator projection.[The Hill]
• The African Union Commission welcomed the vote as a step toward accurate representation, while US officials argued the ideological initiative undermines UN credibility.[The Hill]

Key facts

• The United Nations passed the 'Correct the Map' resolution by a vote of 164 to one, with six abstentions.[The Hill]
• The United States was the only member state to vote against the resolution.[The Hill]
• The resolution, introduced by Togo, encourages equal-area projections rather than mandating an end to the Mercator projection.[The Hill]
• Deputy US Representative Yaryna Ferencevych argued the resolution distracts from genuine international issues and harms the institution's credibility.[The Hill]
• The African Union Commission supported the resolution, stating the Mercator projection improperly reduced Africa to the size of Greenland despite the continent being 14 times larger.[The Hill]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• US only country to oppose UN resolution correcting Africa's size on world mapsThe Hill