Saudi Arabia continues to assert its leadership in shaping the future of global labor markets, with the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference took place in Riyadh from January 26 to 27, 2026, under the theme “Shaping the Future.” This event underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its global competitiveness as an active member of the G20 and a regional leader in transforming labor market challenges into sustainable development opportunities.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development transformed this conference into a permanent work platform instead of a seasonal gathering. Specifically, the Ministry activates recommendations and monitors outcomes through strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders to ensure long-term impact. Furthermore, the “Global Labor Market Academy” serves as a developmental arm that enhances the competitiveness of national talents for global markets.
Historic Achievements and Partnerships
The first and second editions in 2023 and 2025 marked a pivotal turning point in the trajectory of regional labor markets. These summits witnessed the signing of dozens of strategic agreements and memorandums of understanding worth billions of riyals between various sectors. Therefore, these initiatives evolved from mere recommendations into institutional executive models that focus on skill development and labor market alignment.
The Global Labor Market Academy represents a pioneering initiative, launching its successful first and second versions in early 2025 and 2026. This academy relies on a robust partnership between the GLMC, the Ministry, the World Bank, and Takamol Holding to ensure quality. Currently, the academy aims to reach over 75 countries by 2028 to foster international collaboration and exchange professional expertise.
AI and Future Strategic Pillars
The third edition discussed six strategic pillars regarding the profound impact of technology and Artificial Intelligence. More than 200 international speakers and 40 ministers representing leading governments and economic organizations will attend this high-level global gathering. These sessions focus on workforce resilience, new required skills, and the alignment of labor markets with continuous global technological progress.
Saudi Arabia strengthened its international standing according to the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook issued by the prestigious IMD Institute recently. The Kingdom jumped to 16th place globally in overall competitiveness and secured the 5th rank in the labor market axis. Ultimately, these results reflect the high quality of initiatives that the Ministry launches to improve labor legislation and employment growth.
