UNA Symposium Explores Youth Empowerment in Video Games & Social Media

The Union of News Agencies (UNA) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, supported by the OIC and the Saudi Ministry of Sports, is organising a symposium on youth empowerment through video games and social media. It will gather specialists from OIC member states to explore how digital platforms can foster youth development and civic engagement.

Saudi leadership has increasingly promoted digital platforms - including social media - as central tools for youth engagement, public communication, and national progress. Under Vision 2030, social media has become a cornerstone of government outreach and civic participation, with ministries like Health, Education, and Sports receiving high marks for engagement and content performance. Platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat reach the majority of the population, reflecting a shift toward digital-first communication.

The conference also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic expansion into gaming and digital culture under Vision 2030. The kingdom now hosts the Esports World Cup, the largest esports tournament ever with a record USD 70 million prize pool, and will stage the inaugural Olympics Esports Games in 2027. Saudi also launched the National Gaming and Esports Strategy in 2022 to create employment, support domestic game development, and position itself as a global hub in the games industry.

Titled 'Empowering Youth in OIC Member States through Video Games and Social Media: Opportunities and Challenges', the symposium takes place at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah, and will include a review of experiences from member states in encouraging youth engagement and development.