The Togolese government, in collaboration with the African Union, has joined forces with cartographers Tom Patterson, Bernhard Jenny, and Bojan Šavrič, creators of the Equal Earth projection, to implement the UN resolution A/RES/80/307, "Correct the Map". This resolution, adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 4, 2026, aims to promote the use of equal-area projections when depicting the world's continents. The partnership was announced during a virtual meeting on September 20, 2026, initiated by Togo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Robert Dussey.
The creators of Equal Earth will provide scientific and technical expertise to support the implementation of the resolution. Their contribution will focus on producing reference maps, supporting states and institutions, and developing educational resources for African education systems. This collaboration is seen as a significant step towards promoting a more accurate representation of the world's continents, particularly in Africa. The Equal Earth projection, published in 2018, has already been adopted by several organizations, including the NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
The UN resolution "Correct the Map" was adopted with 164 votes, demonstrating widespread international support for the initiative. The resolution encourages governments, schools, international organizations, media, and technology companies to use equal-area projections when the relative size of territories is involved. The African Union has already recognized the Equal Earth projection as a reference cartographic tool, and it is expected that this partnership will further promote its adoption.
During the virtual meeting, Prof. Robert Dussey expressed his gratitude to the creators of Equal Earth for their scientific work, which has become a reference point for the African continent. The Togolese government and the African Union recognize the importance of accurate representation and its impact on education and perception. The partnership aims to provide African countries with the necessary tools and resources to adopt equal-area projections.
The creators of Equal Earth will work closely with the Togolese government and the African Union to develop educational resources and reference maps. This will involve the production of free-to-use maps and the development of pedagogical materials for African education systems. The goal is to promote a better understanding of the world's geography, particularly among African children.
A scientific advisory group is expected to be established to oversee the implementation of the resolution. The group will comprise experts in the field of cartography and will provide guidance on the use of equal-area projections. The creators of Equal Earth have been invited to join the group as personal representatives.
The partnership between Togo, the African Union, and the creators of Equal Earth marks a significant step towards promoting accurate representation and challenging traditional cartographic practices. The implementation of the "Correct the Map" resolution is expected to have a lasting impact on education, perception, and international relations.
Key points
- The partnership aims to promote the use of equal-area projections in education and international relations.
- The creators of Equal Earth will provide scientific and technical expertise to support the implementation of the resolution.
- The UN resolution "Correct the Map" was adopted with 164 votes, demonstrating widespread international support.
