Togo plans to bring an initiative before the United Nations aimed at promoting a more accurate representation of Africa's true size on world maps.
The initiative originated with Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, who wanted to replace the widely used Mercator projection, which has been criticized for its geographical distortions that minimize the size of countries near the equator, particularly in Africa.
This projection, developed in the 16th century, visually enlarges the northern and southern regions of the globe, giving a misleading image of their true proportions. Conversely, alternative projections allow for a more accurate representation of the size of the continents, particularly that of Africa, which is often underestimated.
Supported by several African countries, this initiative aims to combat perceptions deemed biased and stereotypes inherited from old cartographic representations.
A draft resolution is currently being prepared to encourage Member States to adopt more accurate maps in institutions, education and official communications.
Beyond the technical aspect, this approach is part of a broader desire to enhance the place of the African continent on the international stage and to correct representations deemed unfair.
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