UN tells the world

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-04T22:30:54.795Z • Permanent link

The United Nations General Assembly has delivered a landmark decision, urging governments, educational institutions, and technology companies worldwide to reassess their use of maps that distort Africa's size. This move comes on the heels of a concerted effort by advocacy groups, led by the UN's own Cartographic Section, to bring attention to the issue. The proposal, championed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, was adopted by a resounding 144 votes to 4, with 40 abstentions. The General Assembly's decision is seen as a significant victory for those pushing for more accurate and culturally sensitive representations of the continent.

The push for reform has been gaining momentum in recent years, with several high-profile campaigns and events drawing attention to the issue. For instance, the 2020 Africa Day celebrations saw numerous world leaders and organizations emphasizing the importance of accurate map-making, while companies like Google and Microsoft have also taken steps to address the problem. Despite these efforts, many maps continue to perpetuate the misconception, with some estimates suggesting that as many as 90% of online maps distort Africa's size. The UN's decision is a major step forward in the fight against these inaccuracies.

The driving force behind the UN's decision is the Cartographic Section itself, which has been working tirelessly to promote more accurate and culturally sensitive map-making. The Section, led by the distinguished cartographer Amr Adel, has been engaging with governments, educators, and industry leaders to raise awareness about the issue and develop more accurate map products. The UN's decision is a testament to the power of collective action and the impact that dedicated individuals can have on shaping global attitudes and practices.

The UN's decision has significant implications for the Data Sources domain, where accurate and culturally sensitive map-making is critical for a range of applications, from research and education to policy-making and business decision-making. Companies that produce maps, such as Google and MapQuest, will need to reassess their products and ensure that they accurately reflect the size and shape of Africa. Research communities, too, will need to adapt their methods and tools to account for the changing landscape of map-making. Furthermore, policymakers will need to take into account the potential impact of inaccurate maps on public perceptions and decision-making.

The decision also raises important questions about the role of technology companies in promoting cultural sensitivity and accuracy. While companies like Google have made significant strides in recent years to address issues like language and cultural bias, the issue of map-making remains a complex and multifaceted challenge. As the UN's decision highlights, technology companies have a critical role to play in promoting more accurate and culturally sensitive map-making, and will need to work closely with governments, educators, and other stakeholders to achieve this goal.

The UN's decision is part of a broader pattern of global efforts to promote cultural sensitivity and accuracy in map-making. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of culturally sensitive map-making, particularly in the context of Africa. The 2019 launch of the African Map Gallery, for example, marked a major milestone in the promotion of accurate and culturally sensitive map-making on the continent. Similarly, the 2020 launch of the Cartographic Section's Africa Map Project has seen a significant increase in the production of accurate and culturally sensitive maps of the continent.