STORY: Pakistani experts say BRICS more inclusive after expansion
DATELINE: Sept. 1, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:22
LOCATION: Islamabad
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP 1 (English): ALI JASWAL, Xinhua reporter
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HASSAN ASLAM SHAD, Pakistani lawfare and international law specialist
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NOAMAN ABDUL MAJID, Economist and CEO of WIXEMAN GLOBAL
4. STANDUP 2 (English): ALI JASWAL, Xinhua reporter
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NOAMAN ABDUL MAJID, Economist and CEO of WIXEMAN GLOBAL
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): HASSAN ASLAM SHAD, Pakistani lawfare and international law specialist
7. various of b-rolls of the BRICS Summit

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): ALI JASWAL, Xinhua reporter
"The expansion of BRICS with the extension of invitations to six more countries including Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates marks a historical milestone in strengthening both the momentum of BRICS cooperation and the solidarity of the Global South. The experts in Pakistan see BRICS now as more inclusive and democratic in nature that can better redress the global imbalances plaguing the world for long."

The expansion was announced during the 15th BRICS Summit held on Aug. 22-24 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The six countries' membership will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): HASSAN ASLAM SHAD, Pakistani lawfare and international law specialist
"I see this as a very positive development because at the end of the day, the more democratic BRICS becomes as an institution in which states with differing clout and different geographies and different territories and different backgrounds come and have a say, then it will become a more democratic platform, it will become more multilateral and more inclusive."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NOAMAN ABDUL MAJID, Economist and CEO of WIXEMAN GLOBAL
"We feel that BRICS is an ideal platform to provide voice, to be a more democratic platform basically, for the countries from the Global South, from the developing world, from the Asian countries, and from Africa."

STANDUP 2 (English): ALI JASWAL, Xinhua reporter
"Since its inception, BRICS have long strived for global development, and worked together to promote the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and enhance the well-being of its member countries and their peoples."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NOAMAN ABDUL MAJID, Economist and CEO of WIXEMAN GLOBAL
"BRICS now is a platform where a lot of this money can go into the real economic development in the fulfillment of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), where the ordinary people will be part of the financial system of the economic system and the new economic order which will emerge out of BRICS will be more inclusive and more democratic in nature."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): HASSAN ASLAM SHAD, Pakistani lawfare and international law specialist
"I really hope, I sincerely hope that BRICS continues to get further momentum from the world. If unfortunately, some countries see it as a geopolitical bloc, I think it's a fallacy. I think it's completely their shortcoming. I think it's their myopic thinking, which is prompting them to see BRICS as a competitor. It's not. It's giving everyone a platform."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Islamabad.
(XHTV)