#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Global Labor Market #Conference 2026

Summary of the Global Labor Market Conference 2026

The Ministerial Roundtable of the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) took place recently in Riyadh, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. This significant event welcomed participation from 40 labor ministers representing G20 nations and regions including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Notably, His Excellency Gilbert F. Houngbo, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), was also in attendance.

Objectives of the Conference

In his opening remarks, the chair emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue, highlighting that the Ministerial Roundtable serves as a cornerstone for enhancing international cooperation. The discussions aimed to facilitate meaningful exchanges between ministers and senior officials, draw from practical labor market experiences, and identify areas for future collaboration that could yield tangible results.

Topics addressed included:

• - Facilitating knowledge transfer among participating countries,
• - Aligning employment policies with future labor market needs,
• - Identifying effective drivers for successful employment programs,
• - Strengthening mechanisms for coherence and integration across labor market policies.

Key Outcomes

The roundtable concluded with the consensus of the participating ministers on six priority actions aimed at reinforcing global labor markets:
1. Recognizing and Ensuring Competency Portability: Fostering the recognition and portability of skills to aid sectoral and cross-border mobility.
2. Responsible AI Utilization: Implementing responsible governance and oversight of artificial intelligence in labor market systems.
3. Adapting Social Protection Systems: Modifying protection systems to support worker mobility and transitions, ensuring that protections meet the needs of a modern workforce.
4. Data Use and Labor Matching: Enhancing the use of data and analytics to connect individuals with job opportunities and training.
5. Workforce Planning: Promoting workforce planning that anticipates disruptions, preparing employment systems to respond effectively to economic crises and structural changes.
6. Facilitating Entry into the Job Market: Improving pathways to first-time employment and reintegration into the job market, aiming at creating meaningful opportunities for growth and progress.

Significance of the Conference

Now in its third year, the Ministerial Roundtable has become a central pillar of the GLMC and a leading global platform for evidence-based dialogue and international cooperation regarding the future of labor markets. The GLMC 2026 is backed by strategic partnerships with major international organizations such as the ILO, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), King's Trust International, UN Tourism, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk).

The Global Conference on Labor Market is scheduled for January 26-27, 2026, at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center (KAICC) in Riyadh, themed "Future in Progress." This event will gather labor ministers, directors, and representatives from international organizations, private sector leaders, academic institutions, policymakers, thought leaders, and experts from around the globe. The program will feature over 200 speakers in more than 50 sessions, with an expected participation of over 10,000 attendees, both local and international.