#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #GLMC #Global Labor Market #International Labour Organization

Global Labor Market Conference 2026

The recently concluded Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2026 in Riyadh presented vital opportunities for dialogue among global leaders in labor policy. Under the presidency of HE Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, this third edition brought together 40 ministers from G20 countries, along with representatives from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.

In his opening remarks, Minister Al Rajhi emphasized the critical role of constructive dialogue in fostering international cooperation. He expressed the conference's primary intention—to facilitate positive exchanges among ministers and high-ranking officials and to utilize practical labor market experiences for future collaborations aimed at tangible results.

Discussions at the conference focused on practical knowledge sharing amongst participating nations. Key issues included aligning employment policies with the preparation of future workers, identifying effective success factors for employment programs, and fortifying mechanisms that promote coherence and integration within labor market policies.

As the conference wound down, ministers collectively agreed on six priority actions to reinforce global labor markets:

1. Enhancing Skills Recognition and Transferability: This first action aims to enable mobility among sectors and geographical boundaries by improving how skills are recognized internationally.

2. Promoting Responsible AI Usage: The second priority encourages a responsible approach to AI integration within labor market systems through governance and transparent oversight. This is fundamental in ensuring that technological advancements benefit all parties involved.

3. Adapting Social Protection Systems: This action calls for significant adaptation of social safety nets to support mobility and career transitions, allowing for protections that evolve alongside workers’ needs.

4. Utilizing Data and Analytics: The fourth priority focuses on leveraging data and analytics to make job opportunities more accessible and to promote alignment between employment opportunities and skill development.

5. Advancing Workforce Planning: Another crucial action emphasizes proactive workforce planning to prepare for future disruptions. By anticipating economic shocks and structural changes, labor systems can become more resilient.

6. Improving Pathways to Employment: Lastly, there is an urgent need to create effective pathways that connect individuals to promising growth and advancement opportunities in the job market.

This ministerial roundtable, held for the third time in Riyadh, has established itself as a vital pillar of the GLMC. It serves as a global platform for evidence-based dialogue and international collaboration about the future of labor markets.

Supported by partnerships with prominent international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), World Bank, and OECD, GLMC 2026 highlights the collaborative effort to address pressing challenges faced in the evolving job landscape. The overarching theme—the