Georgia Abstains in ‘Correct the Map’ UN Vote Aimed at Fairer Depiction of Africa’s Size

**Georgia Abstains from UN Vote on ‘Correct the Map’ Resolution**

Georgia was among six nations that abstained during a September 4 United Nations General Assembly vote on a non-binding resolution endorsing a new world map projection. The initiative, titled “Correct the Map,” seeks to replace the traditional Mercator projection with the “Equal Earth” projection to more accurately reflect the relative sizes of continents, particularly Africa.

The resolution was adopted with 164 votes in favor, including support from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, and Russia. The United States was the only nation to vote against the measure, characterizing the initiative as a “radical ideological project,” according to a UN press release.

In addition to Georgia, Estonia, Lithuania, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine also abstained from the vote.

The “Correct the Map” campaign, led by Togo and supported by the African Union, argues that the 16th-century Mercator projection—designed for maritime navigation—distorts global perceptions by significantly misrepresenting the size of the African continent. Proponents of the resolution state that the Mercator projection makes Greenland appear comparable in size to Africa, despite Africa being 14 times larger.

While Georgian officials have not yet provided a formal explanation for the country’s abstention, the Ukrainian delegation cited concerns regarding the depiction of its territory. In an explanation published on September 4, Ukraine stated that while it does not oppose the core objective of the resolution, the “Equal Earth” maps used in the initiative depict Russian-occupied Crimea and other Ukrainian territories in a “wholly unacceptable” manner. Specifically, the Equal Earth campaign website notes that Russian-occupied Crimea is represented in neutral gray.

During the proceedings, the Ukrainian representative expressed concern that the resolution could be used to legitimize the illegal occupation of its territory, warning member states to be “vigilant” regarding the potential implications of the document.

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, who led the negotiations, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that maps influence education, collective perceptions, and the understanding of the world. The campaign’s official statement asserts that the Mercator map has contributed to the misrepresentation of the Global South for over 450 years, framing the issue as one of “power and perception.”

Article and image source: civil.ge