Under the patronage of the King, the International Labor Market Conference will kick off in Riyadh tomorrow

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, the world's attention will turn tomorrow to Riyadh, the capital, as the third edition of the International Labor Market Conference under the theme "Shaping the Future." This exceptional event will feature high-level participation from leading decision-makers, thought leaders, and economic experts from around the globe, who will discuss current challenges and explore the future of work.

Strategic importance at a critical global juncture

This edition of the conference is of particular importance given the sensitive timing of the global economic crisis, as labor markets undergo unprecedented and radical transformations due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the growing reliance on artificial intelligence and automation. The Kingdom's hosting of this event underscores its leading role and pivotal position as an influential force in shaping international policies, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030, which prioritizes human capital development and labor market advancement to enhance economic competitiveness.

In this context, His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, affirmed that holding the conference under the generous royal patronage embodies the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the global dialogue on the future of work and confronting the common challenges that are reshaping labor markets worldwide, noting that Riyadh has become a global platform for exchanging experiences and building common visions that serve humanity.

Broad international presence and strategic partnerships

This year's conference boasts an unprecedented international presence, bringing together over 10,000 participants from 100 countries , along with more than 40 labor ministers, representatives from major international organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions. Over 200 speakers are scheduled to participate in more than 50 panel discussions and specialized workshops.

The conference will be held on January 26 and 27, 2026, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The event features strategic partnerships with prestigious international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the King's Trust Fund, and the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK), thus enhancing the international character of the conference and ensuring the richness of its outcomes and recommendations.

Key themes that keep pace with global transformations

The third edition of the conference focuses on six main themes that reflect the major shifts in the economic landscape, namely:

• Transformations in global trade and their direct impact on employment.
• Addressing the challenges of informal economies and integrating them into the formal economy.
• The new global skills landscape and how to bridge the gap between education and the labor market.
• The real and profound impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and productivity.
• Building resilient labor markets capable of withstanding times of economic and health crises.
• Enhancing the quality of jobs with a focus on youth issues as the engine of the future.

Accompanying initiatives and events

The conference agenda includes several important side events, most notably the ministerial meeting of labor ministers, which will bring together ministers from more than 40 countries to discuss practical and immediate employment strategies. The conference will also witness the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding, the organization of bilateral meetings, and the launch of new initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation.

In a move reflecting the interest in developing national and international competencies, the conference will witness the graduation of the first cohort from the Labor Market Academy , an initiative aimed at building the capacities of policymakers and developing specialized competencies, which contributes to transforming theoretical dialogues into tangible practical policies and initiatives that support the sustainability of labor markets locally, regionally and globally.