In a move reflecting significant regional confidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's development experience, the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Reconstruction elected the Kingdom to chair the Council's Executive Bureau for the next two years (2026-2027). This announcement was made during the Council's 42nd session, hosted by Doha, Qatar, and attended by a select group of ministers and officials responsible for the housing sector in the Arab world.

Saudi leadership in the housing sector

This selection is a culmination of the Kingdom's significant efforts in recent years within the framework of Vision 2030, during which the housing sector has witnessed radical transformations and qualitative leaps that have contributed to increasing homeownership rates and developing sustainable urban environments. The Kingdom's assumption of this position is seen as a valuable opportunity to share its pioneering experience in partnership with the private sector, digital transformation of real estate services, and diverse housing support programs with other Arab countries, thereby enhancing the efficiency of Arab real estate markets.

2026 theme: Community resilience

In a related development, the Council adopted the Saudi proposal for the slogan of Arab Housing Day 2026, entitled: “Community Resilience: Building Adaptable Societies.” This slogan carries profound implications that align with current global challenges, emphasizing the need to plan cities capable of withstanding climate change, economic fluctuations, and social transformations. The slogan aims to guide the Arab world towards adopting the concepts of urban sustainability, not only in terms of green building, but also through creating a resilient urban fabric that ensures a high quality of life for residents under all circumstances.

Strengthening joint Arab action

The Kingdom, through its chairmanship of the Executive Bureau, is set to lead a broad movement to support joint Arab cooperation initiatives. Efforts will focus on unifying visions regarding real estate legislation and exchanging technical expertise in modern urban planning. Under the umbrella of the League of Arab States, the Council also seeks to bridge the gap between supply and demand in Arab markets and provide affordable housing solutions that meet the needs of the region's rapidly growing population.

The importance of the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Reconstruction

It is worth noting that the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Reconstruction is one of the specialized ministerial councils operating under the umbrella of the League of Arab States. The Council's primary objectives are to foster cooperation among member states in the housing and reconstruction sectors, prepare studies and research that address housing issues, and standardize building codes and technical specifications—a task on which much is expected in the coming phase to achieve comprehensive Arab economic and urban integration.

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report, indicating significant weather changes affecting several regions of the Kingdom. The center warned of a noticeable drop in temperatures today (Sunday) in Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, and Hail regions, as well as parts of the Tabuk region, urging residents to take precautions and prepare for relatively cold weather in those areas.

In a related context, the center drew attention to the continued impact of active winds that stir up dust and sand, potentially reducing horizontal visibility. This impact includes areas in the Eastern Province, Riyadh, and Qassim, and extends to parts of the Madinah and Makkah regions. These weather phenomena are part of the usual climatic fluctuations at this time of year, as surface winds become active due to differences in atmospheric pressure between various regions.

The report also noted the possibility of fog formation over the southern and southwestern highlands, specifically in parts of the Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha regions. This phenomenon is considered normal in these areas due to their mountainous geography (the Sarawat Mountains), which traps moisture coming from the Red Sea, leading to the condensation of low clouds and fog. This could affect traffic on mountain roads and slopes.

climatic and geographical context

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by a wide topographical and climatic diversity, as the northern regions (Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, Tabuk) are the first gateway to receive cold air masses coming from the north of the globe and Europe, and therefore they are often the first regions to record a drop in temperatures before the cold waves move to the center and east of the Kingdom.

General effects and recommendations

Due to these weather conditions, traffic safety experts advise drivers to exercise extreme caution, especially on highways and open roads in areas experiencing wind and dust storms (Riyadh and the Eastern Province), where visibility can suddenly decrease. Those with respiratory conditions and asthma are also advised to avoid direct exposure to dust.

In areas experiencing lower temperatures, residents are advised to dress appropriately for the cold weather, especially at night and in the early morning. In southern regions experiencing fog, drivers should use fog lights and drive at reduced speeds to ensure public safety.

The General Directorate of Education in Al-Jawf region officially announced the adoption of new school hours, coinciding with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, for all public, private, and international schools, as well as kindergartens in the region. This announcement comes as part of the annual preparations undertaken by education departments across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to create a learning environment conducive to the spirituality of the holy month and the conditions of fasting.

Working hours details for Ramadan in Al-Jawf region

The administration clarified in its statement that the school day for public schools will begin at 9:30 AM . This applies to all grade levels in both public and private schools. Regarding adult education programs, the first class will begin at 9:00 PM to ensure the continuity of education for this group at times that accommodate their professional and family commitments during the holy month.

The context of flexibility in school timing in Saudi Arabia

This decision aligns with the general directives of the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which grants education departments in regions and governorates the authority to determine the start time of the school day during Ramadan. This flexible policy aims to accommodate the differences in local sunrise times across the Kingdom's far-flung regions, as well as taking into account social conditions and traffic flow in each area.

These measures are part of the ministry’s strategy to ensure that students’ academic achievement is not affected by changes in daily life during the month of fasting, as most families experience changes in their sleep and wake times due to Iftar and Suhoor meals and performing Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers.

Educational and social objectives of adjusting school hours

Delaying the start of the school day until 9:30 AM aims to achieve several educational and health benefits, most notably giving students sufficient rest and sleep after performing the Fajr prayer, which positively impacts their concentration and comprehension in the classroom. This timing also helps alleviate traffic congestion during the early morning hours, making it easier for students and teachers to reach their schools safely and conveniently.

In closing, the General Directorate of Education in Al-Jawf region stressed to school principals the need to inform parents and students in general and continuing education of the new dates through the official school channels, stressing the importance of adhering to the specified attendance times to ensure the smooth running of the educational process, wishing everyone success and a blessed month of fasting.