GCC States Sign Landmark Agreement to Complete Gulf Railway Network by 2030
GCC States Sign Landmark Agreement to Complete Gulf Railway Network by 2030
Six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states signed a landmark agreement in Manama on Sunday to advance their unified railway network, a project that has surpassed 50 percent completion. The General Agreement for the GCC Railway Project establishes the framework for an integrated transport system connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, with full operations targeted for December 2030.
DUBAI: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states signed a landmark agreement in Bahrain on Sunday, formalizing the framework for a unified regional railway network that is already more than half complete. The General Agreement for the GCC Railway Project was executed at Al Riffa Palace in Manama during the sidelines of the 31st meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee on Transport and Communications.
The signing ceremony marked a significant diplomatic milestone as transport and communications ministers from the six member states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—committed to completing the 1,700-kilometer infrastructure project. Full operations across the network are scheduled to commence by December 2030.
The agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for the development and operation of an integrated railway system designed to connect all six Gulf states. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the GCC Secretary-General, described the accord as a critical step toward strengthening regional integration within the transport sector. He emphasized that the project aims to create a single, interoperable network that facilitates the seamless movement of passengers and goods across national borders.
Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, attended the event alongside Albudaiwi and the attending ministers. The Secretary-General expressed gratitude to the leaders of the six Gulf countries for their continued support of joint initiatives and their directives to advance strategic projects intended to benefit the region and its citizens.
The railway project is projected to significantly alter logistics and travel patterns in the Gulf. Passenger traffic on the network is expected to grow from six million in 2030 to more than eight million by 2045, reflecting increasing demand for inter-country rail travel. Freight volumes are forecast to rise substantially, moving from 200 million tonnes in 2030 to 271 million tonnes by 2045.
These projections underscore the project’s potential to enhance logistics efficiency, support supply chains, and boost intra-GCC trade. The agreement focuses on four key pillars: project implementation, technical integration, coordination, and regional connectivity. These elements are designed to ensure that the railway operations function smoothly across different national jurisdictions.
Albudaiwi stated that the initiative reflects the GCC’s commitment to building a more interconnected transport network capable of supporting sustainable economic growth. He praised the efforts of national teams and the Gulf Railway Authority for their work in advancing the project, stressing its importance in fostering regional economic development and shared prosperity.
The completion of the railway network is viewed as a major step toward establishing a unified regional transport system. By linking the capitals and major economic hubs of the six member states, the project aims to facilitate cross-border movement and deepen economic cooperation among the Gulf nations.
T.Zangari--IM
