UN General Assembly Recommends Moving From Mercator to Equal Earth Map

Overview

• The General Assembly approved the resolution by 164 votes to 1 with six abstentions on Friday, September 4, 2026, recommending the Equal Earth projection as an area-preserving alternative to Mercator.
• The text is non-binding and asks governments, international bodies and institutions to consider replacing Mercator in educational, official and media maps rather than ordering an immediate switch.
• France said it will abandon Mercator for some official uses, and Togo — which led the campaign with African Union backing — plans meetings with the AU, UNESCO and mapping companies in early 2027 to coordinate implementation.
• The United States was the lone vote against the resolution, with its UN delegate characterizing the measure as part of a broader ideological project, while six countries abstained citing various concerns.
• Mercator, created for navigation in 1569, preserves direction but enlarges areas near the poles so Greenland can look as big as Africa; Equal Earth reduces that area distortion, which backers say will change how people learn and view global size, trade and influence.