Global Labor Market Conference 2026: Riyadh Hosts Ministerial Roundtable On Future In Progress

Riyadh is set to host the Ministerial Roundtable on Monday, 26 January 2026, within the third Global Labor Market Conference under the theme "Future in Progress." The meeting at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center will gather 40 labour ministers, aiming to address urgent labour market challenges and support stronger, more adaptable employment systems worldwide.

The wider Global Labor Market Conference will run in Riyadh from 26 to 27 January, and is organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Several international organisations are strategic partners, reflecting broad interest in labour market issues, employment policies, and cooperation between governments and global institutions.

In this third edition, the Ministerial Roundtable will move focus from discussion to execution. Participating ministers will look at employment pathways that can be applied quickly, share tested policy experiences, and discuss options to strengthen cooperation on skills development, technology use, job quality, and social protection, aiming to improve labour market resilience.

The agenda also builds on earlier outcomes of the Ministerial Roundtable, which produced eight pathways for reshaping labour markets. These pathways guide current talks on future work trends, worker protection, and inclusive growth. The roundtable is positioned as a global platform for exchanging specialised knowledge, allowing countries to learn from previous initiatives and refine their own national strategies.

The Ministerial Roundtable will be chaired by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi. Director General of the International Labour Organization Gilbert F. Houngbo will take part in the session. This leadership structure links Saudi efforts with the ILO’s technical expertise and brings international perspectives into the discussions in Riyadh.

Ahmed Al-Rajhi said: "The Ministerial Roundtable represents a unique and important opportunity to harness the accumulated knowledge and expertise of participating countries and translate them into tangible and practical cooperation. By bringing together ministers and international partners, we strengthen collaboration, exchange successful policy models, and work to develop regulatory frameworks that improve work environments, enhance competitiveness, and support labor market resilience. The impact of these efforts will not be limited to advancing the Saudi labor market alone, but will also contribute to creating a positive and sustainable impact on labor systems worldwide."

The event’s organisers expect that the 2026 Global Labor Market Conference and its Ministerial Roundtable will reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role in international labour dialogue. Outcomes are anticipated to support better policy design, more stable job markets, and stronger cooperation mechanisms, with benefits projected for both the Saudi labour market and partner countries attending the conference.

With inputs from SPA