Qatar signs landmark GCC railway agreement to strengthen regional connectivity

The signing of the agreement marks a further step towards realising a long-standing regional ambition for an integrated railway system, strengthening economic ties and facilitating cross-border movement throughout the Gulf.Qatar has signed a landmark agreement to connect the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states through an integrated railway network, marking a strategic step towards strengthening regional connectivity, facilitating the movement of passengers and goods, and advancing economic integration across the Gulf.The General Agreement to Connect the Countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Through the Railway Project was signed in Manama, Bahrain, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, on the sidelines of the 30th Meeting of GCC Ministers of Transport.The GCC railway project dates back to 2009, when the GCC Supreme Council approved the establishment of a railway network connecting all six member states. In December 2021, the Council decided to establish the GCC Railways Authority to coordinate the project’s implementation and ensure compatibility with the national railway networks of member states.The ceremony was held under the patronage and in the presence of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, and attended by GCC transport ministers and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.“The General Agreement for the GCC Railway Project represents a significant step in bolstering Gulf integration in the transport sector and regulating the railway transport system within the GCC states,” Albudaiwi explained He added, “this supports the operation of a railway project linking all the GCC states as a single, integrated, and interoperable regional network, thereby contributing to cementing interconnectedness and facilitating transport movement among the member states.”Albudaiwi also expressed his appreciation of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, and the leaders of the GCC states for their continued support for joint Gulf action and their directives to advance strategic projects benefiting the region and its people.He also thanked Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his patronage and presence at the signing ceremony.Speaking on the occasion, Qatar’s Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani described the signing as a strategic step towards strengthening Gulf integration and developing a regional transportation ecosystem.He said the agreement reflects the GCC countries’ commitment to strengthening their historic and fraternal ties and consolidating joint cooperation in vital sectors, ultimately serving the aspirations of their peoples and supporting sustainable development.The minister added that the agreement provides an important framework for coordinating GCC efforts to implement the railway project and improve connectivity between national transportation networks.This, he noted, would facilitate the movement of people and goods, enhance the efficiency of logistics services, and create broader opportunities for trade and tourism among the member states. It would also strengthen the region’s competitiveness and reinforce its position as a regional hub for transportation and logistics.Sheikh Mohammed further affirmed that Qatar, under the directives of Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, would continue to support joint GCC initiatives that advance regional integration, promote economic and social development, and provide advanced infrastructure aligned with future aspirations.