Riyadh: The third annual Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC 2026) concluded on Tuesday at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the event drew an international audience of more than 10,000 participants, including 40 labor ministers and over 200 speakers and experts representing more than 100 countries.
Held under the theme 'Future in Progress' and organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the conference saw the signing of 90 strategic agreements and memoranda of understanding between government entities and the private sector. The deals aim to support labor-market development and are set to impact over 6 million beneficiaries within Saudi Arabia and beyond.
The signed agreements cover four main fields, two of which are skills development and leadership capacity building through training partnerships and international professional accreditation, and accelerating digital transformation with advanced technology solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) through deals to develop digital services, automation solutions, and cybersecurity.
Priority fields covered by the agreements also include expanding opportunities for flexible employment and freelancing while connecting individuals to new economic opportunities, and establishing sustainable sectoral and developmental partnerships that link training with the actual labor market and support local economies.
The success of the third GLMC underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to its leading role in shaping the future of work globally by fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships, and empowering the workforce to ensure sustainable, resilient, and inclusive labor markets.