Supporting our members across the Middle East

What's updated

• New resources added: technical guidance, updated list of free CPD, dispute resolution webinars and professional skills support
  
• Assessments: updated guidance for Session 1, 2026, including no-fee deferral option
• Operational update: offices and in-person events
• Communications from RICS: resuming regular communications
• Frequently asked questions added
   

We understand this may be an incredibly difficult time for our members and candidates across the Middle East who are navigating significant uncertainty, both professionally and personally. We have set up an advisory group bringing together members from the MEA World Regional Board and Regional Advisory Boards to make sure our activities reflect what matters to you.

RICS is here to support and below is an overview of the steps we have taken, along with resources and information that we hope will be useful during this time. We would also encourage you to continue taking precautionary measures and following the official Government guidance in the countries in which you are a resident and working in to ensure your safety and compliance.

Wellbeing support

LionHeart, the independent charity supporting RICS professionals is ready to offer support to those living and working in the region who are directly affected. This may include access to wellbeing and emotional support, such as counselling, and emergency grants where applicable.

Anybody affected is encouraged to contact the helpline to discuss their individual circumstances in confidence. You can find all the ways to contact LionHeart here.

LionHeart has also published an article on how to look after your mental health in turbulent times which offers some practical guidance for navigating uncertainty. You can read it here.

Bena Kansara, LionHeart support services manager, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone in the region who are affected by recent events, as well as with those who are worried about their loved ones. We know that this is an anxious and uncertain time for so many people and that this will be having an impact on people’s emotional wellbeing as well as fears for physical safety. We are here to offer emotional support, a listening ear, and can arrange access to professional counselling where necessary.”

Resources and CPD

Technical guidance

We have published two resources specifically for members working through uncertainty in the region:

• GNSS spoofing and mitigation in the Arabian Gulf — practical guidance for those relying on GPS positioning in the field
• Valuation issues arising from the conflict — support for members navigating valuation challenges
   

Free webinars specifically for the region

Dispute resolution:

We are running a two-part webinar series on dispute resolution in the Middle East:

• Thursday, 23 April - Part 1: Dispute Avoidance Strategies During Periods of Uncertainty: Strengthening Collaboration, Negotiation and Mediation in Middle East Construction Projects. Register here.
• Thursday, 30 April - Part 2: Professional Judgement and Dispute Avoidance in Commercial Real Estate During Periods of Uncertainty: Negotiation and Appropriate Use of ADR in the Middle East Built Environment. Register here.
   

Force majeure:

We have set up a webinar which aims to provide practical guidance for construction and infrastructure professionals navigating contractual and commercial challenges in the current climate.

• Wed 22 Apr 2026 – Force Majeure & Contract Performance: Managing Risk in Conflict-Affected Projects. Register here.
   

Free CPD

We understand that for some maintaining a sense of professional purpose and routine will be helpful during this difficult time. With that in mind, we are sharing a list of CPD resources that are free of charge for all members, available to access whenever suits you.

We have specifically made the Global Business Continuity webinar free for members as well. This offers practical, expert-led guidance on risk assessment, emergency response protocols, and building resilient operational frameworks, topics that feel especially pertinent right now.

Members also have free access to our webinar series on Data and Technology and Sustainability, both mandatory CPD topic areas, alongside a range of others relevant to the region.

An updated list of free CPD for members, including recordings from previous webinars and links to upcoming sessions can be found here.

Professional and soft skills

We have a range of CPD covering professional skills, including managing client relationships, communication under pressure, and personal resilience. These are available to all members at standard rates, and free of charge for RICS Professional Qualification Support Package subscribers. View full list here.

If you are navigating a career change or thinking about what comes next, RICS Recruit is also worth exploring. Alongside a worldwide job board covering surveying roles across construction, land, and property, it offers career advice, CV and interview guidance, role insights to help you explore different surveying specialisms, and a Graduate Hub offering dedicated support for those earlier in their careers.

Assessments

We recognise that preparing for your final assessment interview during this time may be causing more stress than usual. If you would prefer to withdraw and reapply for Session 2, 2026, we want to make that as straightforward as possible.

There will be no deferral fee for this change. Please ensure your submission is updated and compliant with requirements ahead of the next deadline of 7 September 2026.

If you wish to defer, contact aemeaassessmentdelivery@rics.org and we will automatically register your intent to submit form (ITS) for session 2, so no further action is needed from you on that.

Operational update

The safety of RICS staff and members remains a priority for us. We have an RICS staff Incident Management Team monitoring the situation closely as it unfolds and will continue adapt our activities accordingly.

Our offices across the region remain closed temporarily, though our team is working remotely and available to support you. We are bringing back in-person events on a case-by-case basis, taking the current situation into account, and will confirm details of upcoming events as soon as we are able to.

Communications from RICS

We are resuming our regular communications to members and candidates in the region, including subscription reminders, commercial and operational communications; and will continue to do so with the current situation firmly in mind.

Get in touch

If you need advice or have any questions, please contact the RICS contact centre support team at +44 (0)2476 868 555 or via email at contactrics@rics.org.

Whether your question is personal, professional, or logistical, please do not hesitate to reach out.