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Saudi Arabia Launches Global Labor Market Academy in Partnership with the World Bank

Al-Rajhi addressing the audience during his opening speech at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
Al-Rajhi addressing the audience during his opening speech at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
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Saudi Arabia Launches Global Labor Market Academy in Partnership with the World Bank

Al-Rajhi addressing the audience during his opening speech at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
Al-Rajhi addressing the audience during his opening speech at the conference (Asharq Al-Awsat). 

Saudi Arabia has launched the Global Labor Market Academy in partnership with the World Bank, reinforcing its commitment to global transformation and addressing labor market gaps.

The announcement was made by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi during the second edition of the International Labor Market Conference, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.

Under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the conference brought together 40 labor ministers from countries including the G20, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, alongside ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo and over 5,000 participants and 200 speakers from more than 100 countries.

Al-Rajhi highlighted the global unemployment rate, which reached 11.3% in the third quarter of 2024, calling it a cause for concern, especially as it surged to 24% in some member countries. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to address rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts, and emerging challenges such as climate adaptation.

In Saudi Arabia, the private sector workforce has exceeded 12 million employees, with the number of Saudi nationals employed rising from 1.7 million in 2020 to over 2.4 million in 2023, adding 724,000 new jobs for Saudis.

Since its establishment last year, the International Labor Market Conference has become a leading platform for shaping the future of global labor markets. Al-Rajhi noted that 67 million young people worldwide are unemployed, and 20% of individuals aged 15–24 are neither working, studying, nor in training. Additionally, 40% of employers struggle to fill positions due to skill mismatches, with youth unemployment exceeding 30% in some regions.

Saudi Arabia has introduced several initiatives under Vision 2030 to empower its workforce, including training programs, legislative reforms, and a national youth development strategy. As a result, the country’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% by the end of 2024, down from 5.7% in 2020, while women’s labor force participation increased to 36%, surpassing Vision 2030 targets.

Al-Rajhi announced two major initiatives: the launch of the Global Labor Market Academy, headquartered in Riyadh, which will serve as a hub for training and knowledge exchange, and the Future Outlook Report, which will provide data-driven insights and innovative strategies to bridge skill gaps and promote lifelong learning.

ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo stressed the importance of creating better employment conditions for young people, particularly in fields like technology and artificial intelligence (AI). He urged policymakers to develop strategies that prioritize decent jobs and sustainable employment.

Houngbo emphasized that the conference discussions would focus on youth skill development in an era of rapid technological progress and ensuring equal opportunities for young people across all regions.

 

Safaa El-Tayeb El-Kogali, World Bank Director for the GCC, highlighted the significance of the Global Labor Market Academy, stating that it offers a unique opportunity for policymakers to enhance their skills and address shared labor market challenges. She noted that the academy and the Global Labor Market Observatory will play a critical role in fostering international cooperation and sharing best practices between countries with different economic conditions.

During the ministerial roundtable, attended by 40 labor ministers, Al-Rajhi announced a comprehensive vision to enhance labor market resilience and inclusivity.

The plan focuses on facilitating youth transitions from education to employment, preparing the workforce for AI-driven changes, and increasing investment in human capital development.

It also emphasizes enhancing labor market flexibility, including remote and gig work, supporting SME growth to boost job creation, and utilizing technology and skills-matching platforms. Additionally, it promotes the employment of marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities and long-term unemployed individuals, while establishing a comprehensive labor market data system to track employment trends and workforce dynamics.

The Global Labor Market Academy and its initiatives mark a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to modernize labor markets, address global employment challenges, and foster sustainable economic growth.

 

 

 

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Business

UK Suffers OECD's Biggest Growth Downgrade as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Costs

This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
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UK Suffers OECD's Biggest Growth Downgrade as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Costs

This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Britain's economic ‌growth prospects this year received the sharpest downgrade of any major economy in the OECD's interim forecast update on Thursday following the US-Israeli war ​on Iran, while inflation is set to rise faster too.

The Paris-based international body cut its 2026 forecast for British economic growth by half a percentage point to 0.7%, compared with a 0.4 percentage point downgrade for the euro zone and a 0.3 percentage point upgrade for the United States.

"Planned fiscal tightening and higher energy prices ‌are anticipated to keep ‌growth subdued in the United ​Kingdom, ‌though the ⁠impact ​will be ⁠attenuated by lower policy rates next year," Reuters quoted the OECD as saying in its report.

Following are further highlights from the report and other context:

Britain's growth forecast for 2027 is unchanged at 1.3%.

Britain's inflation forecast for 2026 is revised up by 1.5 percentage points from December to 4.0%, the ⁠biggest upward revision of any large, advanced ‌economy.

UK inflation in 2027 ‌is forecast to be 2.6%, 0.5 percentage ​points higher than in ‌December and above the Bank of England's 2% target.

Poorer UK households spend more on gas and electricity than in other rich countries, though total energy spending makes up a smaller share of UK inflation than elsewhere.

The OECD expects the ‌BoE to keep interest rates unchanged this year then cut in Q1 2027 as inflation ⁠eases.

⁠Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility, in forecasts finalized just before the start of the conflict, predicted GDP growth of 1.1% this year and 1.6% in 2027.

The BoE this month forecast inflation would rise to 3.0-3.5% over the next couple of quarters.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made boosting growth and reducing the cost of living top goals for his government.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves said the forecasts showed the war in the Middle East ​was affecting Britain but ​she would still focus on "regional growth, embracing AI and innovation, and establishing a closer relationship with the EU."

Business

Gold Drops More than 1% as Markets Assess Mideast Ceasefire Prospects

FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and coins lie on the table at the Precious metal dealership Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and coins lie on the table at the Precious metal dealership Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
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Gold Drops More than 1% as Markets Assess Mideast Ceasefire Prospects

FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and coins lie on the table at the Precious metal dealership Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and coins lie on the table at the Precious metal dealership Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

Gold prices fell on Thursday, weighed down by increased expectations of US Federal Reserve rate hikes this year as elevated oil prices stoked inflation worries, with investors awaiting clarity on Middle East de-escalation efforts.

Spot gold fell 1.2% to $4,451.47 per ounce by 0811 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery lost 2.3% to $4,448.

"You're ‌seeing an ‌acceleration of the idea that... this war will ‌mean ⁠inflation and inflation ⁠will mean a response from central banks, which will mean higher interest rates," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

Brent crude futures climbed back above $100 a barrel on concerns that protracted fighting in the Middle East will further disrupt energy flows.

Higher crude prices tend to fuel inflation, and while rising inflation typically boosts gold's appeal ⁠as a hedge, high interest rates weigh on ‌demand for the non-yielding asset.

Markets see ‌a 37% chance of a US rate hike by December this year ‌with almost no chance of a cut now, according to ‌CME Group's FedWatch Tool. Before the conflict, markets were expecting at least two rate cuts.

US President Donald Trump said Iran was desperate to make a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, contradicting the Iranian foreign ‌minister who said his country was reviewing a US proposal but had no intention of holding talks ⁠to wind down ⁠the conflict.

"In the next 24 to 48 hours, (gold prices) will just be about reacting to headlines about negotiations," said Kyle Rodda, a senior financial market analyst at Capital.com.

"The really big moves will happen probably at the start of next week when it becomes clearer whether the US launches a ground invasion in Iran over the weekend."

Trump has vowed to hit Iran harder if Tehran fails to accept that the country has been "defeated militarily", White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.

Spot silver fell 2.7% to $69.36 per ounce. Spot platinum was down 2.3% at $1,874.90, while palladium dropped 2.5% to $1,387.53.

Business

Oil Climbs and Equities Sink amid Mixed Messages on 'Talks'

FILE PHOTO: An oil refinery in the Keihin Industrial Zone in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil refinery in the Keihin Industrial Zone in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
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Oil Climbs and Equities Sink amid Mixed Messages on 'Talks'

FILE PHOTO: An oil refinery in the Keihin Industrial Zone in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil refinery in the Keihin Industrial Zone in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

Oil prices jumped and equities fell Thursday as investors tracked developments in the Middle East amid hopes that US and Iranian officials will bring an end to a conflict that has ramped up fears of an unprecedented global energy crisis.

Markets have been buoyed since late Monday after Donald Trump backed down on a threat to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure and said the two sides were in peace talks.

But while crude prices are down from last week and the mood on trading floors has been better than most of March, uncertainty and the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz -- through which around 20 percent of oil and gas passes -- continue to cast a dark shadow.

Washington presented a 15-point plan to end the war, including Iran giving up its enriched uranium and opening up the waterway, while Tehran's state-run TV reported officials had put forward their own five conditions for hostilities to end.

Trump on Wednesday threatened to "unleash hell" if Iran did not strike a deal, but Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country does not intend to negotiate.

But the US president also said Iran was taking part in peace talks and the denials were because negotiators feared being killed by their own side.

"Pressure on energy prices, shipping flows and broader financial conditions remains one of the few meaningful sources of leverage (Iran) retains," said Saxo Markets' Charu Chanana.

"There is therefore little incentive to relinquish that leverage prematurely, particularly if market stress strengthens its negotiating position.

However, she added: "It would be imprudent to assume diplomacy is absent simply because it is not visible. In conflicts of this nature, public rhetoric and private negotiation often diverge materially.

"Markets understand this dynamic, and they also tend to inflect before the political endgame is formally in place."

With investors holding on to hope that a deal can be struck, oil prices have stabilized this week, with Brent just above $100 and WTI around $90.

Both contracts rallied Thursday.

Stocks in Wall Street and Europe rose but Asian markets struggled after a two-day rally.

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Sydney, Taipei, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta fell along with London, Paris and Frankfurt.

City Index's Fiona Cincotta said for any recovery to gain traction, "investors will want to see clearer signs of de-escalation, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz".

Her remarks come after the head of the International Chamber of Commerce, John Denton, warned the conflict could cause the "worst industrial crisis" in decades.

"The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the world is facing an energy crisis more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s," he added.

"From a business perspective, we believe this could yet become the worst industrial crisis in living memory."

Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization said disruptions to fertilizer supplies posed a double threat to global food security through scarcity and high prices, with a third of the global fertilizer supply normally transiting the Strait of Hormuz.