(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By: Amir Muhammad khan)
Riyadh: The third Global Labor Market Conference has begun in Riyadh. Under the theme of ‘Future in Progress’, policymakers, thought leaders and experts from all over the world are participating in this conference.
The conference will be held from 26 to 27 January 2026 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. Pakistan Overseas Federal Minister Salik Hussain is participating, who arrived in Riyadh last night. The ministerial session of the third edition of the International Labor Conference began in Riyadh, chaired by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Raji, in which labor ministers from the G20, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas participated. In his opening remarks, Saudi Minister Al-Raji stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and said that this conference is a cornerstone for strengthening international cooperation. He explained that the meeting aims to facilitate the exchange of vision and practical experiences between ministers and senior officials, focusing on real-world experiences in current labor markets and exploring areas of future cooperation that are capable of achieving tangible results.
“The conference, under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, seeks to advance the international dialogue on the future of work and find solutions to common challenges that are transforming the labor market,” said Saudi Minister of Manpower Ahmed Al-Rajhi.
“The conference provides a key platform for key stakeholders to build a shared vision through the exchange of experiences.
This year, the conference is expected to bring together more than 10,000 participants from 100 countries, including more than 40 ministers, representatives from international organizations, the private sector, and institutions. The conference will feature more than 200 speakers in over 50 sessions
The focus of the conference was on aligning employment policies with the future-ready needs of the workforce, sharing practical experiences between countries, identifying the most effective factors for successful employment programs, and enhancing coordination and integration between labor market policies. The ministers participating in the meeting agreed on six key actions. These include developing mechanisms to transfer skilled labor to increase workforce capacity across sectors and borders, guiding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in labor market systems while ensuring transparency, governance, and oversight, and supporting social protection systems to support mobility and career transitions.
These initiatives include increasing the use of data and analytics to link job opportunities and skills development, improving workforce planning to anticipate periods of economic disruption and structural change, and developing pathways to employment and reintegration into the labor market that lead to meaningful career progression. The ministerial meeting, being held in Riyadh for the third time, is a key component of the International Labor Conference, which has become a global platform to promote evidence-based dialogue and support international cooperation on the future of labor markets.
It is being done in partnership with international organizations, including the International Labor Organization (ILO), the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the King’s Trust Mohammed Salman International, and the Mohammed Salman Foundation.
