Saudi Arabia and Qatar took another significant step toward strengthening their relations with the convening of the “Coordination Council” between the two in Riyadh last week. The meeting was chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The meeting concluded with a broad array of agreements in the fields of energy, transportation, defense, investments, and the digital economy—foremost among them a new flagship project: a 785-kilometer high-speed electric railway that will connect Riyadh and Doha.
The railway, which is expected to complete the journey in two hours, will also link the international airports of both countries. It is expected to serve approximately 10 million passengers per year and create around 30,000 jobs. The project aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The summit took place against the backdrop of a continuous improvement in relations between the two countries since the signing of the Gulf reconciliation agreement in 2021—driven by Saudi Arabia—when the blockade imposed by the “Arab Quartet” on Qatar was lifted. Since then, economic ties between Riyadh and Doha have strengthened: bilateral trade reached approximately $930 million in 2024—an increase of 634 percent compared to 2021. The new agreements expand cooperation into politics, security and intelligence, renewable energy, mining, climate, culture, education, cyber, and more. It should be noted that ties between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have not progressed in the same way, and mutual suspicion continues to slow the reconciliation process.
The broader significance of the meeting between the leaders is the continuation—and even deepening—of the rapprochement between Riyadh and Doha that has characterized recent years. After years of severe tension, the two countries are now operating with increasing coordination on regional issues—from Syria’s reconstruction process to mediation efforts surrounding the war in Gaza. The railway project gives tangible expression to this political convergence as well: a new regional infrastructure intended to enhance mobility, increase trade, and strengthen connectivity between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar took another significant step toward strengthening their relations with the convening of the “Coordination Council” between the two in Riyadh last week. The meeting was chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The meeting concluded with a broad array of agreements in the fields of energy, transportation, defense, investments, and the digital economy—foremost among them a new flagship project: a 785-kilometer high-speed electric railway that will connect Riyadh and Doha.
The railway, which is expected to complete the journey in two hours, will also link the international airports of both countries. It is expected to serve approximately 10 million passengers per year and create around 30,000 jobs. The project aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The summit took place against the backdrop of a continuous improvement in relations between the two countries since the signing of the Gulf reconciliation agreement in 2021—driven by Saudi Arabia—when the blockade imposed by the “Arab Quartet” on Qatar was lifted. Since then, economic ties between Riyadh and Doha have strengthened: bilateral trade reached approximately $930 million in 2024—an increase of 634 percent compared to 2021. The new agreements expand cooperation into politics, security and intelligence, renewable energy, mining, climate, culture, education, cyber, and more. It should be noted that ties between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have not progressed in the same way, and mutual suspicion continues to slow the reconciliation process.
The broader significance of the meeting between the leaders is the continuation—and even deepening—of the rapprochement between Riyadh and Doha that has characterized recent years. After years of severe tension, the two countries are now operating with increasing coordination on regional issues—from Syria’s reconstruction process to mediation efforts surrounding the war in Gaza. The railway project gives tangible expression to this political convergence as well: a new regional infrastructure intended to enhance mobility, increase trade, and strengthen connectivity between the two countries.