RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2026 concluded today at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The event saw high-level international participation, with over 10,000 attendees, including 40 labor ministers and more than 200 international speakers and experts representing over 100 countries.
The third edition of GLMC, held under the theme "Future in Progress" and organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), witnessed the signing of 90 strategic agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between government entities and the private sector. These initiatives aim to support the labor market and are expected to benefit more than 6 million people within and beyond the Kingdom.
The agreements and MOUs focused on four key areas: developing skills and leadership capabilities, advancing digital transformation and AI adoption, expanding flexible and freelance employment opportunities, and strengthening sector-specific partnerships that align training with labor market needs and support sustainable economic growth.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnein, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor, delivered the closing remarksof GLMC 2026, marking the end of two days of discussions focused on practical solutions to current and future labor market challenges. He emphasized that GLMC is designed to be a continuous platform for collaboration throughout the year, with partnerships and knowledge exchange extending beyond the conference days. The discussions are part of an ongoing cycle of engagement sustained through continuous cooperation.
As part of its research and analytical agenda, GLMC released two reports in collaboration with the World Bank: "What Works for Work: A Guidebook to Proven and Promising Employment Solutions," developed with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to support policymakers in designing effective labor market programs amid rapid economic and technological change, and "A Decade of Progress," which provides a comprehensive review of Saudi Arabia's labor market transformation over the past ten years, documenting key achievements under Vision 2030 and the Labor Market Strategy, as well as the structural reforms that have enhanced efficiency and inclusivity.
The conference kicked off with a high-level ministerial Roundtable, chaired by His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and attended by 40 labor ministers and the Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The ministers agreed on six decisive measures to shape the future of work.
GLMC also celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of the Labor Market Academy, comprising 36 graduates from 34 countries, and launched the second cohort with participants from 31 countries, including 19 countries participating for the first time and 12 returning from the 2025 edition.
The success of the third edition of GLMC highlights Saudi Arabia's growing role in shaping the future of work globally through innovation, partnerships, and workforce empowerment. The conference also marks the beginning of a new phase focused on policy development and readiness for future labor market transformations.
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Global Labor Market Conference Concludes Third Edition with 90 Agreements Benefitting Over 6 Million People
HONG KONG, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu - Jotham Napat Nauka, led a senior government delegation to Hong Kong and successfully convene the event "Future and Development of Vanuatu–Hong Kong Relationship for 2026 and beyond: Press conference of the Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu's visit to Hong Kong" during which he delivered a keynote address on the future trajectory of Vanuatu–Hong Kong relations.
The Hon. Prime Minister Napat stated that the visit marks the entry of Vanuatu–Hong Kong relations into a new phase characterized by strengthened political mutual trust, deeper institutional engagement, upgraded financial cooperation, and comprehensive connectivity with capital markets.
During the visit, the Hon. Prime Minister held pragmatic and productive meetings with Leaders and Senior Officials of the Government of the Hong Kong S.A.R on issues of common interest as it highlights that bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Vanuatu continues to grow, adding that the prospects for co-operation between the two places are broad and promising.
The Hon. Prime Minister met with the Hon. John KC LEE Chief Executive, and the two leaders exchanged views on issues of mutual interest reaching a high degree of consensus on the future direction of bilateral relations.
Both sides agreed that, against the backdrop of profound adjustments in the international landscape and the continued deepening of regional cooperation, Vanuatu–Hong Kong relations possess broad strategic potential. They emphasized the need to elevate the level of cooperation, expand its scope, and improve cooperation mechanisms, advancing bilateral relations from project-based collaboration toward institutionalized, structural, and long-term partnerships.
Both sides agree to establish more stable, regularized, and mechanism-based frameworks that set the base for communication and coordination, and enhance dialogue across areas of mutual interest: including regional affairs, development agendas, international organizations, economic governance, financial regulation, and institutional development.
Both sides agree to actively advance the establishment of principles for financial parity and mutual recognition of relevant licenses and progressively build a medium- to long-term cooperation framework encompassing both traditional finance and emerging digital finance.
Both sides also agree to strengthen bilateral synergies within regional financial systems and further consolidate political trust and policy alignment. Through enhanced intergovernmental strategic communication and policy coordination, the two sides aim to foster a more transparent, predictable, and sustainable institutional environment for enterprises, financial institutions, and market participants to engage in cross-border cooperation.
The Hon. Prime Minister Napat further noted that Hong Kong, as an international financial center and a highly open economy, possesses mature experience and global influence in governance frameworks, financial regulation, capital market development, and alignment with international standards.
The Hon. Prime Minister further mentioned that Vanuatu, as an important island nation in the South Pacific, offers strategic geographic advantages, institutional flexibility, and strong regional connectivity potential. With complementary strengths and highly aligned development priorities, the two sides are well positioned to build a comprehensive partnership encompassing political trust, economic cooperation, financial coordination, and institutional innovation, jointly contributing to regional stability and sustainable development.
In the areas of trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, both sides conducted systematic, structured, and forward-looking discussions on trade and investment facilitation, industrial cooperation, tourism collaboration, business exchanges, talent development, and two-way mobility, and reached broad consensus on further enhancing both the quality and scale of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Both sides expressed strong support for more Hong Kong and international enterprises to leverage Hong Kong as a platform hub to engage in practical cooperation with Vanuatu across priority development sectors including infrastructure, green energy, the digital economy, financial services, shipping and logistics, the marine economy, modern agriculture, and sustainable tourism.
Both sides agreed that continued consultations and implementation efforts are essential and will work to advance bilateral cooperation from traditional project-based engagement toward industrial chain collaboration, capital alignment, and institutional co-development. In terms of people-to-people exchanges, both sides will continue to optimize mechanisms for the mobility of business, investment, and professional services personnel, support enhanced exchanges among universities, research institutions, financial institutions, and professional service organizations, and promote talent development, capacity building, and the sharing of institutional experience, thereby further strengthening the social and industrial foundations of bilateral relations.
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Future and Development of Vanuatu-Hong Kong Relationship for 2026 and beyond: Conference held by the Hon. Prime Minister of Vanuatu on his successful visit to Hong Kong
