New york: The European Union (EU) and its Member States have expressed their support for a United Nations resolution aiming to correct global cartographic representation, with a particular focus on equitable portrayal of Africa. This resolution, part of agenda item 13 concerning the integrated and coordinated implementation of major United Nations conference outcomes, seeks to enhance educational and geographical awareness by promoting a more balanced depiction of the world's regions.
According to European Union, the EU appreciates the efforts made by the Permanent Mission of Togo in facilitating the negotiations for the draft resolution titled "Correct the Map: Rebalancing Global Cartographic Representation and Promoting Equitable Representation of the World's Regions, Particularly Africa." The EU supports the resolution's goal to provide a more accurate and fair representation of different regions, emphasizing the scientific and educational benefits it brings.
During the consultation process, the EU highlighted the spirit of dialogue and compromise that defined the negotiations. The EU and its Member States reiterated that the resolution's scope is confined to educational and geographical literacy purposes, focusing on the accurate portrayal of continental landmass sizes. Importantly, the resolution does not address issues of sovereignty, territorial status, or international borders, ensuring it does not alter the legal status of any territory.
The EU emphasized that the resolution does not imply recognition of disputed territories or endorse any specific cartographic resources, such as equal-earth.com, and reaffirmed the role of the United Nations Geospatial Information Section in governing international boundaries. The EU's statement underscores the importance of maintaining established UN policies and references in representing international boundaries, ensuring that the resolution does not modify or supersede these authoritative sources.
In conclusion, the EU requested that their statement be included in the official record of the meeting, expressing gratitude to the Permanent Mission of Togo for facilitating the resolution's adoption. The EU's support reflects its commitment to promoting equitable representation in global cartography, particularly for Africa, while maintaining respect for established international boundaries.