US admits error after flawed Africa map shown at AIDS conference

An inaccurate map of Africa displayed at a major international AIDS conference in Brazil has led to an "unfortunate error" acknowledgment from the US State Department. The map, presented by the US delegation, incorrectly located six African countries, causing confusion and misrepresentation for attendees, including African partners.

Nigeria was depicted as a landlocked nation in the continent's center, while Mozambique appeared in the Horn of Africa and Cote d'Ivoire in southern Africa. The error was revealed by conference participants through social media posts, with Reuters first reporting the issue. Officials explained that a team member on the ground had quickly altered the slideshow shortly before the presentation on US global health assistance.

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We take full responsibility for the confusion and misrepresentation it caused for attendees, including our African partners.

Despite the geographical blunder, the United States characterized the discussions at the 26th International AIDS Conference as "substantive and constructive." The conference opened in Rio de Janeiro amidst significant changes to the US international aid budget following Donald Trump's return to the White House. Nevertheless, the US remains the primary public funder for global HIV prevention, contributing 74 percent of all public funding, according to a UNAIDS report.

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substantive and constructive