Global Labor Market Conference 2026 Concludes with Focus on AI and Workforce Mobility

The Global Labor Market Conference 2026 in Riyadh concluded with labor ministers from G20 nations and other regions agreeing on six priority actions to strengthen global labor markets, announced in a press release.

The meeting, chaired by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, brought together 40 labor ministers along with representatives from international organizations, including the International Labour Organization. Discussions focused on aligning employment policies with future workforce needs and sharing best practices across nations.

The six agreed actions include promoting recognition and transferability of skills to enhance cross-sector mobility, ensuring responsible use of artificial intelligence in labor market systems through transparent governance, and adapting social protection systems to support career transitions. Other measures involve improving data use for job matching, advancing workforce planning to anticipate disruptions, and strengthening pathways to first employment and reintegration.

The conference, held under the theme “Future in Progress,” featured more than 200 speakers across 50 sessions and attracted over 10,000 participants. It was supported by organizations such as the World Bank, OECD, UNDP, and the Misk Foundation.