GLMC 2025: 45 Ministers and 200 Experts Collaborate on Future of Work—Implications for Oman’s Business Landscape
Riyadh to Host Global Labor Market Conference
Under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Riyadh will welcome the second edition of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) on Wednesday, January 29. This significant international event will gather over 45 labor ministers from across the world, including delegates from G20 nations, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
The GLMC serves as a crucial platform for exchanging insights, fostering collaboration, and developing innovative solutions to meet the challenges of evolving global labor markets. Key discussion topics for this year’s roundtable will include initiatives for re-skilling and upskilling, strategies to enhance youth employment, and aligning labor market policies with technological and economic changes.
The roundtable will be chaired by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. The event will also see the participation of Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), along with representatives from more than 45 countries. The discussions aim to explore ways in which governments, the private sector, and modern technologies can collaborate to empower workers, boost innovation, and enhance productivity while addressing global labor market challenges.
Dr. Abdullah Nasser Abuthnain, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, highlighted the roundtable’s purpose of utilizing global expertise to promote cooperation and integration. He reaffirmed that this collaborative effort is geared towards developing forward-thinking policies that improve working conditions and tackle labor market issues, ultimately benefiting both Saudi Arabia and the broader global economy.
The GLMC is organized in partnership with the World Bank, the ILO, UNDP, and the Misk Foundation, aiming to position itself as a thought leader in the global labor market ecosystem. The conference will focus on six essential areas:
- Forever Skilling: Promoting lifelong learning strategies for an adaptable workforce.
- The Win-Win of a Mobile Workforce: Creating opportunities through global mobility.
- Youth in a Bind: Addressing challenges in youth employment.
- Productivity on the Mend. Maybe: Enhancing global productivity.
- Growing Green Jobs for a Just Economy: Building sustainable employment opportunities.
- SMEs and New Work Models as Job Creators: Driving innovation and employment through small and medium enterprises.
Scheduled to take place at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh from January 29 to 30, the conference is expected to feature over 200 prominent speakers, senior executives, international experts, and public sector leaders from more than 100 countries. By encouraging dialogue and collaboration, the GLMC aims to shape innovative solutions and policies that will influence the future of work and empower labor markets globally.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The upcoming Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) presents strategic opportunities for Omani businesses to engage in global best practices around skills development and workforce innovation. With a focus on re-skilling and enhancing youth employment, local entrepreneurs should prepare to adapt their strategies to attract and develop talent in line with global standards. Investors should consider leveraging insights from this event to capitalize on emerging trends in sustainable jobs and the evolving landscape of small and medium enterprises, positioning themselves at the forefront of Oman’s labor market evolution.
