ABUJA, NIGERIA — The International Human Rights Observatory – Africa (IHRO‑AFRICA) has commended the United Nations for the recent adoption of a new, accurate global map that corrects the long‑standing distortion of the African continent.

In an official statement issued from its Abuja headquarters, IHRO‑AFRICA hailed the UN resolution as a historic step toward geographical justice. For decades, the widely used Mercator projection presented Africa as significantly smaller than its actual size.

According to the Observatory, the adoption came through the voice of Togo, with the West African member state leading advocacy at the UN for the recognition of “true maps” that present the true scale and proportion of the African continent.

“This is more than cartography. This is dignity restored. For too long, generations of Africans and the world have viewed our continent through a distorted lens. The UN’s decision to set aside the old map and adopt a more truthful representation is a correction of history and a victory for truth.” — IHRO‑AFRICA official statement

IHRO‑AFRICA noted that accurate representation matters because maps shape perception, education, investment, and global policy. The new maps now reflect Africa’s real size — nearly 30.3 million square kilometers, making it the second‑largest continent and larger than the United States, China, India, and much of Europe combined.

The Observatory called on schools, media houses, governments, and international institutions across Africa and beyond to immediately transition to the new UN‑approved maps in textbooks, official documents, and public displays.

International Human Rights Observatory – Africa IHRO‑AFRICA is a pan‑African human rights body headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, committed to promoting accurate representation of Africa in history, media, and global institutions.

“We congratulate the Republic of Togo for its leadership and all UN member states who voted for truth over tradition,” IHRO‑AFRICA stated. “This is a win for Africa, for education, and for the principle that facts must lead global narratives.”

IHRO‑AFRICA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accurate representation of Africa in history, media, and global institutions.