Washington: The 13th Human Capital Ministerial Conclave, held during the 2025 World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings, centered on the theme “Skills for Jobs.” Leaders from various sectors, including manufacturing, digital, and health, discussed strategies for equipping a billion young people entering the workforce over the next decade with the necessary skills for future employment.
According to World Bank, the event, hosted by the Human Capital Project, featured representatives from 40 countries within the 96-member Human Capital Project Network. They shared insights on investing in human capital and collaborating with the private sector to develop relevant job skills. Key speakers included thought leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Dr. Rubana Huq, Vice-Chancellor of the Asian University for Women, highlighted the significance of foundational and advanced skills. She shared her success in facilitating higher education for women garment workers in Bangladesh. Hon. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasized scaling up digital skills, particularly within Nigeria’s agriculture sector. He detailed Nigeria’s partnership with the World Bank to train three million individuals with technical skills, aiming to strengthen the workforce and position the country as a net exporter of digital skills.
Dr. Vanessa Kerry, Co-Founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, spoke on the importance of partnerships and civil society in developing skills for the health workforce. Data indicates that investing in health workers can lead to significant economic returns and job creation across multiple sectors.
Finance, Planning, and Budget Ministers from the Human Capital Project Network participated in the discussions, underscoring the need for lifelong learning and education system reforms to meet current challenges. H.E. Dr. Ashni Singh, Guyana’s Minister of Finance, represented the newest Network member, reaffirming Guyana’s dedication to investing in health and education as central to its job-focused vision.
Ministers from various countries addressed global shifts impacting skill requirements. Hon. Ms. Katerina Guntsadze, Deputy Minister of Finance, Republic of Georgia, noted her country’s transformation and growth, with education reform as a pivotal element for a future-ready workforce. H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, highlighted the need to upskill 1.8 million new labor force entrants yearly, focusing on gender equality and skills training.
Lesotho is transitioning to a skills-for-growth framework, as shared by Hon. Ms. Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister of Finance, emphasizing private sector partnerships for dual apprenticeship models. Hon. Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, noted that macroeconomic improvements have enabled increased funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure, driving demand-driven skill development.
Countries shared best practices in private sector collaboration and skills development, including World Bank operations. H.E. Ms. Nialé Kaba, Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Planning, and Development, discussed aligning education with labor market needs through initiatives providing training and jobs to many young individuals.
Hon. Prof. Biman Prasad, Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Finance, highlighted Fiji’s technical and vocational education program developed with training and employment centers and the Employers Federation. The program aims to build local capacity and counteract brain drain.
H.E. Mr. Faisal Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, concluded by urging that success be measured by productivity, income growth, and mobility rather than just employment numbers.