The two-day summit preceded the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), scheduled from February 26 to March 1 in Nairobi.
Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, played host to the inaugural Africa’s Green Games Summit this Saturday, marking a significant step towards harnessing the potential of creative initiatives in combating threats to global environmental well-being.
The two-day summit, convening stakeholders from the gaming industry and innovation sphere, preceded the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), scheduled from February 26 to March 1 in Nairobi.
Organized by the Playing for the Planet Alliance, facilitated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the Pan Africa Gaming Group (PAGG), the summit aims to underscore the pivotal role of gaming in propelling Africa’s green agenda forward.
Held at the Nairobi Game Development Center, a hub for community-oriented game developers, the summit featured notable speakers from the realms of technology and entertainment.
One of the flagship projects showcased at the event is the Green Game Jam, anticipated to mobilize one million individuals this year to combat ecological challenges.
Highlighting exemplary studios from across Africa, including Usiku Games, Internet of Elephants, and Mekon from Kenya, as well as Sea Monster from South Africa, the summit seeks to spotlight innovative contributions to the gaming landscape.
Jay Shapiro, Chairperson of the Pan Africa Gaming Group, emphasized Africa’s burgeoning role in the gaming arena, with over one billion digital native youth poised to engage online, presenting a new frontier for leveraging gaming to promote environmental stewardship.
“We are thrilled to welcome leading experts from across the globe to the Nairobi Game Development Center, fostering collaboration on climate action gaming best practices,” remarked Shapiro.
Sam Barratt, Chief of the Youth, Education, and Advocacy Unit in UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, underscored the potency of video games and entertainment mediums as catalysts for reigniting action on the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.
“This inaugural Green Games Summit in Africa has seen industry leaders share insights into the transformative potential of gaming in advancing this critical agenda,” stated Barratt.
The summit’s emphasis on harnessing the innovative capacity of the gaming industry underscores a growing recognition of unconventional avenues for driving environmental action, marking a pivotal moment in Africa’s commitment to sustainable development.