The world has been witnessing rapid technological advancement, fundamental demographic changes and various emerging issues, and these developments require “pro-active and bold steps” to prepare humanity for the future, a Saudi minister said on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia is “proud to host this conference” as part of its continuous efforts to play an “active role” in global change, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman AlRajhi said in his address at the second edition of the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC) here.
“We all united in our efforts to discuss current challenges, draw the future roadmap for the labour market,” said AlRajhi, who delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the King of Saudi Arabia at the global conference being hosted at King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre (KAICC).
A group of participants from over 100 countries, including government leaders, experts, innovators, and policymakers are attending the conference.
“The world is witnessing rapid technological advancement, fundamental demographic changes and emerging issues such as climate adaptation. These developments require us to take proactive and bold steps to prepare humanity for the future,” the Saudi minister said.
The GLMC, he said, is a crucial hub for collaboration and a global think-tank supporting labour market research and studies.
He asserted that “together we will continue to work to provide positive transformation in the global market”.
Recalling the first edition of the conference held in December 2023, AlRajhi said this year “we continue our journey and join efforts to deal with contemporary challenges facing labour markets and explore ways to address them”.
“Our vision remains clear and our goals steadfast to work together to build a flexible and inclusive labour market that can adapt to future challenges and changes efficiently and effectively,” he added.
The Saudi minister said: “We aim to work together to harness our vast and shared experiences and expertise to address global challenges.”
Transforming them into opportunities, “we can all work together” to ensure prosperity for our economy, communities and workforces, he underlined.
Citing case studies from countries like Germany, Singapore and Kenya, the minister said that on a global scale, “we are witnessing the emergence of various models that contribute to the positive transformation of the labour markets”. “These models demonstrate that novel solutions can be developed and worked to create an optimistic future for the labour market.” “In this context, the Kingdom is taking pioneering steps under Vision 2030, to empower the workforce and stimulate transformation in the labour market,” the Saudi minister said.P
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WEST AFRICA-2NDLD ECOWAS
Three coup-hit West African nations formally leave ECOWAS regional bloc
Abuja (Nigeria) (AP) The junta-led West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS, the body said on Wednesday, the culmination of a yearlong process during which the group tried to avert an unprecedented disintegration. The withdrawal of the three countries, first announced a year ago, “has become effective today”, ECOWAS said in a statement. The bloc, however, said that it has also decided to “keep ECOWAS’ doors open”, requesting member nations to continue to accord the trio of nations membership privileges, including free movement within the region with an ECOWAS passport.
Widely seen as West Africa’s top political and regional authority, the 15-nation ECOWAS was formed in 1975 to “promote economic integration” in member states. It has struggled in recent years to reverse rampant coups in the region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources.
The bloc has since grown to become the region’s top political authority, often collaborating with states to solve domestic challenges on various fronts from politics to economics and security. In parts of West Africa, however, ECOWAS has lost its effectiveness and support among citizens, who see it as representing only the interests of the leaders and not that of the masses, said Oge Onubogu, director of the Africa Programme at the Washington-based Wilson Centre think tank.
After coming into power, the juntas in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced that they were leaving ECOWAS, and they created their own security partnership, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September. It’s the first time in the bloc’s half-century of existence that its members have withdrawn in such a manner. Analysts say it’s an unprecedented blow to the group that could threaten efforts to return democracy and help stabilise the increasingly fragile region.ECOWAS said that its members were also required to treat goods and services coming from the three countries in according with ECOWAS regulations and provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the countries during their assignments.
