The Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2026 concluded on January 28, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, having secured 90 agreements aimed at enhancing the labor market and potentially benefiting over 6 million people. Held at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, this year’s conference attracted more than 10,000 attendees, including 40 labor ministers and over 200 international speakers from more than 100 countries.
Organized under the theme “Future in Progress” by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), the GLMC focused on four critical areas: developing skills and leadership capabilities, advancing digital transformation and AI adoption, expanding flexible and freelance employment opportunities, and strengthening sector-specific partnerships. These initiatives are intended to align training with the evolving needs of the labor market and promote sustainable economic growth.
Key Initiatives and Closing Remarks
During the closing remarks, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnein, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor, emphasized the conference’s role as an ongoing platform for collaboration. He highlighted that the discussions and partnerships formed during GLMC will continue beyond the event, fostering a cycle of cooperation aimed at addressing current and future labor market challenges.
In addition to the agreements, the conference featured the launch of two significant reports produced in collaboration with the World Bank. The first, titled “What Works for Work: A Guidebook to Proven and Promising Employment Solutions,” aims to assist policymakers in crafting effective labor market programs in the face of rapid economic and technological changes. The second report, “A Decade of Progress,” reviews Saudi Arabia’s labor market transformation over the past ten years, documenting achievements made under Vision 2030 and the Labor Market Strategy.
Ministerial Roundtable and New Graduates
The conference commenced with a high-level ministerial roundtable chaired by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. During this session, labor ministers agreed on six decisive measures intended to shape the future of work globally.
GLMC 2026 also celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort from the Labor Market Academy, which included 36 graduates from 34 countries. The conference introduced the second cohort, welcoming participants from 31 countries, including 19 nations participating for the first time and 12 returning from the previous year.
The success of this third edition of the GLMC underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in shaping the future of work through innovation, strategic partnerships, and workforce empowerment. The conference marks the start of a new phase focused on policy development and readiness for future transformations in the labor market.
