New York (United Nations), September 5, 2026 (SPS) – The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution promoting more accurate world maps, including the Equal Earth projection, in a move that maintains the separate representation of Western Sahara from Morocco.
The resolution, titled “Correct the map: rebalancing global cartographic representation and promoting equitable representation of the world’s regions, particularly Africa,” was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 164 votes in favor, one against and six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against.
Led by Togo on behalf of the African Group and supported by the African Union, the initiative seeks to address distortions associated with the widely used Mercator projection, which disproportionately enlarges territories at higher latitudes and visually minimizes Africa and other equatorial regions. The resolution encourages governments, international organizations, educational institutions and other actors to use equal-area projections, particularly Equal Earth, where the comparative size of continents and regions is important.
The resolution is not legally binding and does not modify international borders or the legal status of any territory. It also does not prohibit the continued use of the Mercator projection, particularly for maritime and aerial navigation, where it remains useful.
For the Western Sahara issue, the significance of the development lies in the continued distinction made in UN representations between the territory and Morocco. The separate depiction of Western Sahara in cartographic materials is consistent with the longstanding international treatment of the territory as distinct from Morocco.
The initiative also highlights the broader political and educational importance of maps. During the debate, Togo stressed that cartographic representations influence how peoples and societies understand the world, arguing that more accurate maps can contribute to a more balanced perception of Africa and other regions historically diminished by conventional projections.
The resolution further requests follow-up on its implementation and encourages wider consideration of more accurate cartographic representations in educational materials, official documents, media and digital platforms.
For the Sahrawi cause, the adoption of the resolution represents a significant symbolic development, particularly as Western Sahara continues to be represented separately from Morocco in the UN context. It therefore reinforces the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between the territory and Morocco in international cartographic and institutional representations.
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