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Under the gracious patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may Allah protect him – the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) commenced today in Riyadh, with wide participation from Their Excellencies the Ministers of Labor, policymakers, and experts from various countries around the world, to discuss the most prominent transformations and challenges facing labor markets at both the regional and international levels.
The conference was inaugurated by His Excellency Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, who emphasized in his opening speech that global labor markets are undergoing rapid transformations due to technological advancements, demographic shifts, and changing skill requirements, noting that these transformations necessitate strengthening international cooperation and intensifying the exchange of experiences to build more resilient and sustainable labor markets.
His Excellency clarified that the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) has become a global platform bringing together leaders, policymakers, and experts, aiming to move from the exchange of visions and ideas to the development of evidence-based practical solutions that contribute to enhancing labor markets’ readiness for future changes, particularly in light of the rapid expansion in the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development pointed out that the themes of the current edition of the conference address a number of key issues, most notably trade transformations and their impact on employment, the informal economies, global skills systems, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs, in addition to employment during times of crisis and building resilient labor markets, with a particular focus on empowering youth as a fundamental pillar of future economies.
His Excellency Al Rajhi reviewed the Kingdom’s experience in developing the labor market within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing that hosting the conference is not limited to presenting the national experience but also aims to contribute to strengthening global dialogue on labor market transformations and benefiting from various international experiences and practices.
On the sidelines of the conference, the ministerial meeting was held with the participation of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Labor from various countries around the world, where the meeting discussed the most prominent common challenges facing labor markets, foremost among them technological transformations, skills development, the informal economy, and improving job quality, in addition to youth and women’s empowerment and enhancing inclusiveness in the labor market.
During the meeting, the ministers emphasized the importance of investing in human capital as the main driver of economic growth, and the necessity of developing flexible and proactive policies that respond to the rapid changes in labor markets, stressing the importance of translating the outcomes of discussions into practical steps through joint cooperation programs, data sharing, and building effective partnerships with international organizations.
The conference features the participation of more than 40 Ministers of Labor, alongside over 200 international speakers, with an attendance exceeding 10,000 participants from within the Kingdom and abroad, within a program comprising more than 50 sessions and events, reflecting the advanced status attained by the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) as an influential global platform in shaping the future of work.
The conference continues its activities on the second day through dialogue sessions, workshops, and specialized initiatives aimed at supporting international cooperation, exchanging experiences, and developing policies that contribute to building more efficient and sustainable labor markets, while improving the quality of life for individuals and communities around the world.
