Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference opened on Monday in Riyadh, bringing together labor ministers, policymakers and experts from around the world.
The event reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in steering global discussions on labor-market transformation and future economic challenges.
Held on Jan. 26-27, the conference serves as a high-level platform to address rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, shifting trade patterns, evolving skills systems and the need to build more resilient and sustainable labor markets. A central theme is youth empowerment, which is a key driver of future economic growth.
Opening the conference, Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi said global labor markets are undergoing unprecedented change driven by technological progress, demographic shifts and evolving skills requirements. He stressed the importance of international cooperation and deeper knowledge exchange to respond effectively to these transformations.
Al-Rajhi noted that the conference has moved beyond dialogue to developing practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen labor-market readiness, particularly amid the accelerating adoption of digital technologies and AI.
He highlighted this year’s themes, including the impact of trade transformation on employment, informal economies, global skills systems, the effects of AI on jobs, employment during crises and the development of flexible labor markets, adding that the event aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda.
On the sidelines of the conference, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef emphasized the growing role of governments in establishing regulatory frameworks for emerging jobs, advanced technologies and evolving business models. He called for integrated systems that align efforts across government, the private sector, educational institutions and the workforce.
Alkhorayef said sustainable labor markets rest on three pillars: effective government policies, alignment between education outcomes and future labor needs, and individual readiness to compete globally. He added that Saudi Arabia faces not a shortage of jobs in industry and mining but a need for highly qualified talent, noting that the future of these sectors is closely linked to technology and advanced skills development.
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said tourism has been a key driver in reducing unemployment to record lows comparable with OECD and G20 levels. He added that the sector has created 250,000 jobs for Saudis since the launch of the National Tourism Strategy in 2019, raising total employment in tourism to more than one million by the end of last year. He also highlighted Vision 2030’s focus on economic diversification and people-centered development, noting that tourism is among the most attractive sectors for youth and women.
Mamta Murthi, Vice President for People at the World Bank Group, noted that workforce systems must evolve in line with rapid global economic shifts. She described Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with the World Bank as a model for translating evidence-based policies into tangible economic opportunities while supporting inclusive job growth.
Murthi highlighted persistent challenges in skills development, including mismatches between education and labor-market needs, outdated training programs and limited scalability of effective solutions, warning against supply-driven approaches disconnected from real market demand.
The ministerial meeting held within the framework of the conference, chaired by Al-Rajhi and attended by 40 labor ministers, alongside ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, focused on aligning employment policies with future-readiness, sharing practical experiences and strengthening coherence in labor-market strategies.
The meeting concluded with agreement on six priority actions, including improving skills recognition and portability, promoting responsible use of AI, adapting social-protection systems to support career mobility, strengthening data-driven workforce planning and expanding pathways to first employment and re-entry into the labor market.
The first day also marked the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Global Labor Market Academy, representing 34 countries.
Established in partnership with the World Bank and Takamol Holding, the academy combines in-person training with international knowledge exchange. With participation from 31 countries in the new cohort, the initiative now includes 50 countries and aims to expand to more than 75 by 2028, reinforcing a global model for turning policy dialogue into measurable impact.
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