HE the Chairman of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) Mohamed bin Hamoud al-Shafi has underlined that the experience of the Council, as the first house of democracy, proved the sound approach of Qatar to uphold the values of freedom and justice, to consolidate the principle of consultation and the democratic action and to promote popular participation, in light of the great development witnessed by the State in various fields.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) ahead of the end of the fifth session of the Central Municipal Council and marking 20 years of experience, HE al-Shafi said that the CMC keeps pace with the comprehensive development of Qatar under the patronage and guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and has been an active contributor to this process over the past years.
He noted that the Central Municipal Council, which consists of 29 members representing as many constituencies, enjoys full independence in carrying out its responsibilities as defined by the law, and has been able, over five sessions, to enrich the democratic experience and serve the society.
HE al-Shafi said that Qatar formed the first municipal council in the early 50s of the last century. This experience was then developed to hold the first elections for of its members by direct voting in 1999, in which the citizens, men and women, participated. Currently, the State is preparing for elections to the sixth session of CMC on April 16.
Over 20 years, the Central Municipal Council has contributed through its recommendations and proposals to the development process of the State, and has interacted with various subjects of interest to the citizens and residents, and had a role in activating the decisions and laws at the level of municipal affairs, and submit proposals that serve the public interest, he stressed.
The Ministry of Interior began preparations in January for the election of sixth session the Central Municipal Council, which offers about 116 candidates, including five women, according to the election supervisory committee in the ministry.
HE the Chairman of the Central Municipal Council praised the role of the Ministry of Interior in preparing for this session and its efforts over the previous sessions in organising and bifurcating departments, forming committees, registering voters and candidates, raising awareness about the importance of these elections, along with other efforts to ensure that the electoral process is conducted with absolute transparency and with no obstacles.
He also noted the high level of awareness among the citizens about the importance of participating in these elections and the voter’s confidence in the role of the Central Municipal Council in promoting the development process and achieving the aspirations of citizens in municipal affairs.
HE al-Shafi underlined that the Council was able to consolidate its relations with various ministries and agencies in the State, headed by the Ministry of Municipality and the Environment, and succeeded in overcoming many of the problems. He added that the ministers and officials are keen on visiting the Council, and listening to the members and their proposals, and they spare no effort to implement all that would serve the country and the citizen, in line with the directives of the wise leadership.
He noted that the fifth session of the Council held 68 meetings to date and issued more than 130 recommendations covering various municipal matters, such as increasing green spaces in different regions of the country, waste recycling, the establishment of public parks in some municipalities, bus stations and locations, and the establishment of wedding ceremonies halls in a number of areas, the controls of workers’ gatherings in the midst of family housing, and the development of the system for monitoring the establishment and quality of government projects.
He added that the recommendations also included other aspects, but the most important ones are related to food safety, charitable assistance within the State, building licences, single citizens, changing street lights, Farjan markets, well drilling controls and other recommendations related to infrastructure, roads, and public services.
He said that the CMC is open to citizens, residents and the media to receive complaints and proposals regarding municipal affairs, noting that the Council receives all the proposals within the Council’s competencies, from citizens and residents.
HE al-Shafi attributed the success of the Council to the support it receives from the wise leadership, as well as the  the work within the Council and the establishment of relations with various ministries and entities in the State.
He reiterated that all ministries and institutions in the State are aware of their role, and follow their projects responsibly, and there is continuous follow-up from the leadership, and the government. Therefore the State is moving from success to success, overcoming all the challenges with confidence.
HE al-Shafi praised the efforts exerted by the government to accelerate the implementation of all projects and respond to the needs of the departments of infrastructure projects, service projects, such as commercial streets, parks, as well as the sectors of health, education and others. 
On his expectations for the sixth session, HE al-Shafi told QNA that the previous ones proved that the work of the council is constantly improving and following up all municipal affairs. He added that the council proposes ideas as well, expressing his appreciation of all the efforts made in various projects currently being implemented. 
He noted that the State’s projects are progressing rapidly, highlighting that Qatar will see major milestones in the next couple of years, whether in terms of World Cup projects or others that will greatly improve Doha as well as other cities and municipalities. 
He attributed those achievements to the wise vision and directives of the country’s leadership.
HE the Chairman of the CMC said that the State’s achievements were a result of deliberate efforts despite all the challenges, prominent among them the unjust blockade. He highlighted the State’s success in overcoming the blockade. He said the blockade had motivated Qatar to move quickly in finishing its major projects, in addition to supporting vital sectors that will help the country achieve self-sufficiency in some agricultural and industrial products.
The chairman encouraged every individual and institution to work diligently to contribute to the country’s development. He stressed the importance of focusing only on the public good rather than using the council’s membership to pursue special interests, especially that the law prevents it. 
He encouraged voters to turn out to the municipal votes that are set to take place on April 16, praising the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in facilitating the registration process. He also called on the council’s members who will be voted in to work earnestly to serve their country and the citizens, and build on what was achieved in previous sessions. He also encouraged them to play their part in realising the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Developmental Plan 2018-2022, within the powers they were granted by the law. 
The council aims to pursue the development of the country in municipal affairs. It has the powers of regulating laws, decision and systems related to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. This includes the laws and decisions related to the regulation of buildings, land allocations, roads, and shops among others. The council can also examine the social, economic, administrative and financial plans for the municipal and agricultural affairs in accordance to the law.