Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is preparing to launch the third edition of the International Labour Conference tomorrow, under the theme “Shaping the Future.” This prominent global event brings together a select group of decision-makers, thought leaders, and experts from around the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing global labor markets amidst rapid transformations.
General context and importance of the conference within the framework of Vision 2030
The conference comes at a crucial time, as Saudi Arabia undergoes an unprecedented economic and social transformation under Vision 2030, which places human capital development and labor market reform at the heart of its objectives. This conference is not an isolated event, but rather an extension of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as a global hub for dialogue and policymaking. The previous two editions successfully established Riyadh's reputation as a leading platform for international exchange, paving the way for this edition to be the most impactful to date.
Expected local, regional, and international impact
Domestically, the conference presents a strategic opportunity to align Saudi labor market policies with global best practices, support localization efforts, and equip Saudi youth with the skills required for the future, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Regionally, the conference provides a platform for countries in the region facing similar demographic and economic challenges to exchange solutions and coordinate efforts toward building more diversified and sustainable economies. Internationally, the organization of this event underscores the pivotal role the Kingdom plays in the global economy, not only as an energy supplier but also as an active partner in addressing shared challenges such as the impact of automation on jobs and the need to build resilient social safety nets.
Key themes and broad global participation
His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, explained that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' patronage of the conference embodies the Kingdom's commitment to its international role. He indicated that the conference will focus on six main themes reflecting major transformations in labor markets: the impact of trade shifts on employment, informal economies, the new global skills landscape, the real impact of artificial intelligence, building resilient labor markets, and enhancing job quality with a focus on youth.
This year's conference boasts an exceptional turnout, with over 10,000 participants from 100 countries, more than 40 labor ministers, and representatives from prestigious international organizations such as the International Labour Organization and the World Bank, thus enhancing the impact of its outcomes. Over 50 dialogue sessions will be held, featuring more than 200 speakers, with the aim of translating discussions into practical and implementable policies and initiatives.
Accompanying events and quality initiatives
In addition to the main sessions, the conference, to be held on January 26 and 27, 2026, will include key events such as a high-level ministerial meeting and the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding to enhance international cooperation. The event will also witness the graduation of the first cohort from the “Labor Market Academy,” an initiative aimed at building the capacity of policymakers and developing specialized national expertise, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of the conference’s positive impact.
