Saudi Arabia to Host Global Labor Market Conference in January 2026

Riyadh will host the third Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) on 26–27 January 2026, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that the event will take place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Held under the theme “Future in Progress,” the conference will bring together policymakers, business leaders, labor experts, and international organizations to discuss the future of work and the challenges facing global labor markets.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, thanked King Salman for his support, saying that GLMC has become an important global platform for dialogue on labor market issues. He added that Saudi Arabia remains committed to promoting international cooperation and developing innovative solutions to strengthen labor systems worldwide.

The 2026 edition will feature more than 45 international ministers, including a special Ministerial Roundtable aimed at discussing global labor policies. The program will cover six key themes, including the impact of AI and global trade changes on jobs, new skills for the future, challenges in informal labor markets, workforce resilience, and aligning labor trends with human development.

Organizers expect over 200 speakers and more than 7,000 participants across more than 50 sessions. This year’s conference will also introduce new formats such as policy hackathons, topic spotlights, and academic-led debates.

First launched in 2023, the GLMC has grown into a global platform supporting research, innovation, and partnerships focused on developing stronger and more sustainable labor markets. Its initiatives include the Global Labor Market Academy, created in partnership with the World Bank and Takamol Holding, which aims to help governments and businesses build better labor systems.