Global Labor Market Conference 2026 Wraps Up with 90 Agreements That Will Impact Millions
The Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2026 recently concluded at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Spearheaded under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, this year, the conference attracted over 10,000 participants, including 40 labor ministers and more than 200 global experts hailing from over 100 different countries.
This third edition of the conference, entitled 'Future in Progress', was geared towards fostering collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. During the event, 90 strategic agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed. These initiatives aim to bolster the labor market and are projected to positively impact more than 6 million people both within the Kingdom and abroad.
Focus areas for these agreements included enhancing skills and leadership development, driving digital transformation in workplaces, promoting flexible and freelance employment opportunities, and building strong partnerships between sectors to align workforce training with labor market demands and sustainable economic expansion.
Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnein, the Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor, provided closing remarks at the end of GLMC 2026. He emphasized that the conference is intended as a continual platform for collaboration and engagement, extending beyond the two-day event with ongoing partnerships and exchanges of knowledge throughout the year.
In line with its commitment to research and analysis, GLMC released two important reports in conjunction with the World Bank. The first report, titled 'What Works for Work: A Guidebook to Proven and Promising Employment Solutions', aims to aid policymakers in crafting effective labor market programs amidst swift economic and technological shifts. The second report, 'A Decade of Progress', reviews Saudi Arabia's labor market changes over the past ten years, highlighting significant achievements linked to Vision 2030 and the Labor Market Strategy, along with the structural reforms that have enhanced efficiency and inclusivity.
The conference also featured a high-level ministerial Roundtable led by Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. This roundtable saw participation from labor ministers who agreed on six critical measures to redefine the future of work.
One notable moment from the conference was the graduation of the first class from the Labor Market Academy, consisting of 36 graduates from 34 countries. The launch of a second cohort was also announced, featuring participants from 31 nations, including newcomers and returning participants.
The successful conclusion of GLMC 2026 underscores Saudi Arabia's emerging influence in shaping the global labor landscape through innovation, strategic partnerships, and workforce empowerment initiatives. This pivotal conference signals the beginning of a new phase focused on policy development and proactive measures for the future of the labor market. The collaboration fostered here will play a crucial role in navigating the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving work environment.
This third edition of the conference, entitled 'Future in Progress', was geared towards fostering collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. During the event, 90 strategic agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed. These initiatives aim to bolster the labor market and are projected to positively impact more than 6 million people both within the Kingdom and abroad.
Focus areas for these agreements included enhancing skills and leadership development, driving digital transformation in workplaces, promoting flexible and freelance employment opportunities, and building strong partnerships between sectors to align workforce training with labor market demands and sustainable economic expansion.
Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnein, the Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor, provided closing remarks at the end of GLMC 2026. He emphasized that the conference is intended as a continual platform for collaboration and engagement, extending beyond the two-day event with ongoing partnerships and exchanges of knowledge throughout the year.
In line with its commitment to research and analysis, GLMC released two important reports in conjunction with the World Bank. The first report, titled 'What Works for Work: A Guidebook to Proven and Promising Employment Solutions', aims to aid policymakers in crafting effective labor market programs amidst swift economic and technological shifts. The second report, 'A Decade of Progress', reviews Saudi Arabia's labor market changes over the past ten years, highlighting significant achievements linked to Vision 2030 and the Labor Market Strategy, along with the structural reforms that have enhanced efficiency and inclusivity.
The conference also featured a high-level ministerial Roundtable led by Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. This roundtable saw participation from labor ministers who agreed on six critical measures to redefine the future of work.
One notable moment from the conference was the graduation of the first class from the Labor Market Academy, consisting of 36 graduates from 34 countries. The launch of a second cohort was also announced, featuring participants from 31 nations, including newcomers and returning participants.
The successful conclusion of GLMC 2026 underscores Saudi Arabia's emerging influence in shaping the global labor landscape through innovation, strategic partnerships, and workforce empowerment initiatives. This pivotal conference signals the beginning of a new phase focused on policy development and proactive measures for the future of the labor market. The collaboration fostered here will play a crucial role in navigating the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving work environment.
Topics General Business）
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