Riyadh to host third Global Labor Market Conference on 26–27 January

Riyadh is set to welcome policymakers, business leaders and labour experts from around the world as it hosts the third edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) on 26–27 January 2026.

The event will be held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, according to a press release.

Organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, GLMC 2026 will focus on the theme "Future in Progress", reflecting the conference's aim to shape the evolving landscape of global labour markets.

The gathering will serve as a collaborative platform for developing forward-looking solutions to contemporary workforce challenges, including rapid technological change, shifting global trade patterns and the rise of new work models.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, welcomed the conference's return, noting its growing influence.

"We are grateful for the King's honourable patronage of GLMC, which has become a cornerstone of the global labour landscape and a crucial platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of work," he said, adding that this conference reflects the Kingdom's continued commitment to advancing international collaboration and developing innovative solutions that strengthen labour markets and enable workers everywhere.

This year's edition will feature more than 45 international ministers, who will take part in a dedicated ministerial roundtable to advance global labour policy solutions. The broader programme is organised around six thematic pillars, exploring topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence and trade shifts on the workforce, emerging skills needs, challenges facing workers in the shadow economy and strategies for workforce resilience and human-centred labour market development.

The 2026 conference will also introduce new interactive formats, including policy hackathons designed to generate innovative policy proposals, "spotlight" sessions featuring bold policy experiments and academic-led debates on urgent labour market issues.

Organisers expect over 200 speakers and more than 7,000 attendees, with more than 50 sessions and engagements scheduled across the two-day event.

Since its launch in 2023, the Global Labor Market Conference has grown into a year-round global think tank fostering research, innovation and cross-sector partnerships.

Through initiatives such as the Global Labor Market Academy, a collaboration with the World Bank and Takamol Holding, GLMC continues to support the development of sustainable labour systems and practical solutions to global workforce challenges.

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