Gulf States Sign Unified Railway Agreement, Set December 2030 for Full Operation

The six Gulf Cooperation Council states signed the general agreement for the Gulf Railway Project at Al-Refaa Palace in Manama, under the patronage and in the presence of Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, with December 2030 set as the final target date for full operational launch.

GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Dosari stated following the signing that the agreement "represents an important step in advancing Gulf integration," noting that it regulates the railway transport system among Council member states.

Total project completion has reached 55.92%, according to the GCC Secretariat General. Transport and communications ministers from member states attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement establishes a common framework that regulates member state commitments and coordinates implementation and operational activities, while ensuring integration between national railway networks. The project aims to provide safe, reliable, and economical transport services for passengers and cargo according to unified technical specifications and approved safety standards.

Al-Dosari noted that the network will contribute to enhancing intra-Gulf trade by connecting economic and industrial centers to ports and logistics hubs, thereby raising the competitiveness of Gulf economies. He also expressed appreciation to Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, chairman of the current GCC Supreme Council session, and leaders of member states for their continued support of shared Gulf initiatives, while commending the efforts of relevant teams across GCC states and the Gulf Railway Authority in advancing the project.