Riyadh Welcomes Global Leaders for Key Labor Discussions
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is poised to host the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) from January 26 to 27, 2026. The prestigious event, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, aims to bring together global decision-makers, experts, and thought leaders to address the evolving landscape of labor markets worldwide.
The conference, themed 'Shaping the Future,' is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants from 100 countries. This includes over 40 labor ministers, representatives from international organizations, private sector leaders, and academic experts.
Key Objectives and Themes
The GLMC serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue, exchanging expertise, and developing flexible and inclusive labor policies that balance economic growth with quality of life.
Discussions at the conference will revolve around six primary themes:
- Shifts in global trade and their impact on employment.
- The informal economy.
- Changing skills requirements.
- The real-world effects of artificial intelligence on jobs and productivity.
- Building resilient labor markets during crises.
- Improving job quality with a focus on youth as a key driver of future economies.
More than 200 speakers are scheduled to participate in over 50 panel sessions, contributing to a comprehensive exploration of these critical topics.
Ministerial Roundtable and International Collaboration
A significant component of the conference is the Ministerial Roundtable, scheduled for January 26. This roundtable, operating under the theme 'Future in Progress,' will convene 40 labor ministers from around the globe to discuss practical employment strategies and enhance multilateral international cooperation. The session will focus on translating dialogue into actionable implementation, exchanging best practices, and exploring ways to improve skills development, technology adoption, job quality, and social protection to strengthen labor market resilience.
His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, will chair the Ministerial Roundtable. He emphasized that the conference reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to global dialogue on the future of work and addressing the challenges reshaping labor markets worldwide.
Partnerships and Future Initiatives
The GLMC is being held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center and is organized in partnership with leading global institutions. These include the International Labour Organization, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, King's Trust International, and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation.
The event will also feature the graduation of the first cohort of the Labor Market Academy, an initiative designed to strengthen policymakers' capabilities, develop specialized labor market skills, and promote international knowledge exchange.
5 Comments
BuggaBoom
More talk, less action. These conferences rarely deliver.
Loubianka
Focusing on youth and job quality is an excellent objective for future economies. But without addressing current systemic inequalities, these goals might remain aspirational for many.
Katchuka
Another elite gathering, disconnected from real workers' struggles.
Comandante
While the initiative to gather global leaders is positive for dialogue, the true measure of success will be whether tangible improvements are made for workers on the ground, beyond just policy discussions.
Coccinella
Global collaboration on labor markets is exactly what the world needs now.