Global Leaders Convene in Paris to Tackle Workforce Disruption

2026-10-28 global

Paris, Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Policymakers from 27 countries met in Paris on October 27, 2026, expanding a 50-nation alliance to address artificial intelligence disruptions and reform global employment strategies.

A Global Alliance Takes Shape in Paris

Policymakers and labor market specialists from 27 countries gathered in Paris on October 27, 2026, to launch the second cohort of the Global Labor Market Academy (GLMA), expanding an international alliance that now represents 50 nations across its first two cohorts [1][5][8]. The initiative, co-organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia, Takamol Holding, the World Bank, and the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC), aims to address structural disruptions in global employment while fostering cross-border collaboration on workforce policies [1][5][8]. With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping labor markets at an unprecedented pace, the Paris program emphasizes ‘Jobs Now: Advanced Strategies for Labor Market Transformation,’ a theme underscoring the urgency of implementing evidence-based reforms [1][5][8].

From Riyadh to Paris: A Journey of Knowledge Transfer

The Paris cohort follows the inaugural GLMA training held in Riyadh in January 2026, which focused on Saudi Arabia’s labor market innovations, including the Qiwa platform and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) [1][5][6]. The Riyadh program provided a foundation in labor market diagnostics, productivity, and job creation strategies, setting the stage for the Paris edition’s more action-oriented approach [1][5][6]. Day 1 of the Paris program brought together 35 participants from 26 countries, shifting the focus from learning to implementation through technical sessions, country case studies, and peer learning exchanges [2][3][5]. The program’s curriculum is designed to turn labor market diagnostics into actionable priorities, exploring the relationship between firm growth, innovation, and job creation while drawing practical lessons from national experiences [3][7].

Bridging Policy and Practice in Real Time

The Paris training, held at the World Bank Group’s offices from October 27 to 29, 2026, features field visits to two offices of France Travail (France’s public employment service) to study modern employment service delivery mechanisms [1][5][8]. Participants will also engage in a panel discussion under the GLMC 365 initiative, involving representatives from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the World Bank, the OECD, and the World Employment Confederation, to examine international collaboration on skill development and labor market alignment [1][5][8]. The program’s three core axes—workforce strategy alignment with economic growth, digital transformation of employment services, and youth employment—reflect the acute challenges faced by policymakers worldwide [1][5][8].

A Network of 50 Nations: The GLMA’s Expanding Reach

The GLMA’s network now spans 50 countries, with the Paris cohort marking a significant expansion from the initial 27 participants in Riyadh [1][5][8]. This growth underscores the global momentum behind labor market reform, driven by the dual pressures of technological disruption and demographic shifts [4][7][9]. The initiative’s launch in January 2025 during the second edition of the GLMC in Riyadh highlighted the need for a coordinated international response to evolving workforce dynamics [1][5][8]. With AI and automation projected to displace 85 million jobs globally by 2025—a figure derived from pre-pandemic estimates—programs like the GLMA are critical in equipping policymakers with the tools to navigate this transition [alert! ‘AI’s economic impact projections are subject to high uncertainty due to evolving market conditions’][GPT].

Sources

Labor market Workforce policy