Riyadh, February 2, 2025 – Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, the Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor, held a series of high-level meetings during the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2025, which took place from January 28 to 30 at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh. The conference, a prominent gathering of international labor leaders and policymakers, provided an ideal platform for discussions on labor market challenges and opportunities, fostering greater global cooperation on labor issues.
Throughout the conference, Dr. Abuthnain engaged with several labor ministers and officials from around the world, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing labor market dynamics and strengthening international partnerships. Among the key figures he met were Palestinian Minister of Labor Dr. Enas Al-Attari, Djibouti’s Minister of Labor Omar Abdi Said, Philippine Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Bangladeshi Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, and Angola’s Minister of Public Administration, Labor, and Social Security Teresa Rodrigues. The discussions focused on advancing cooperation in labor market strategies, improving worker welfare, and exploring initiatives to address shared challenges.
In addition to these bilateral meetings, Dr. Abuthnain engaged in critical discussions with Luc Triangle, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the world’s largest international trade union federation, which represents 240 million workers across 163 countries. Their talks centered on labor rights, as well as Saudi Arabia's initiatives aimed at protecting workers, ensuring fair treatment, and upholding labor standards. This dialogue reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to champion worker protection both domestically and internationally.
Dr. Abuthnain also met with Bettina Schaller, the President of the World Employment Confederation, where they discussed pressing employment policy challenges, current labor market trends, and potential opportunities for collaboration. Emphasizing the importance of exchanging knowledge and best practices, Dr. Abuthnain highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering local and regional labor market development, particularly in the face of global economic shifts.
These meetings serve as a testament to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s dedication to enhancing bilateral relationships, promoting international cooperation, and addressing the evolving challenges facing the global labor market. Dr. Abuthnain’s engagements during GLMC 2025 are a key step toward building stronger ties with international partners and ensuring that Saudi Arabia plays an active role in shaping the future of work in the region and beyond.
