The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is welcoming the International Labor Organization, the World Bank, United Nations Saudi Arabia, and other partners for the inauguration of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) in Riyadh on December 13-14, as leading institutions search for comprehensive strategies to deal with the advent of AI, shifting demographics, and dramatic changes to the nature of work in the world.
H.E. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhii, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) offered context for GLMC, saying its inauguration comes at a time when global labor markets are facing exceptional dynamics and anticipated changes. He continued that a concerted international effort is required to address these factors in a way that secures a better future for all.
He added the conference participants hail from among the most important and influential actors in the global labor market, who will come together with the aim of creating a common vision for success and prosperity. He expressed his confidence that this conference marks the beginning of this vision, which will be developed and implemented on the ground.
The GLMC will convene leaders from multinational organizations, government ministries, business, academia, technology, and labor representatives from more than 40 countries. The platform is designed to help identify common challenges, forecast future uncertainties, and build the mechanisms of cooperation necessary to safeguard international labor markets.
Dignitaries in attendance will include International Labor Organization Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Saudi Minister of Communications & Information Technology H.E. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning H.E. Faisal Bin Alibrahim, Saudi Minister of Tourism H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, and Saudi Human Rights Commission President H.E. Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri.
The conference will entail over 40 sessions addressing critical questions including, “Has the Labor Contract Run its Course?” and “The Next Frontier for AI & People.” Sessions also will tackle skills and productivity gaps, regulation and deregulation, and best approaches to spur work for all. Dozens of new international agreements are expected to be announced over the course of the two-day conference.
