STORY: More countries line up to join BRICS as growth opportunities abound
DATELINE: Aug. 21, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:27
LOCATION: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of street views in South Africa
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Scholar with the Istanbul-based Marmara University
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANDRE EDGAR ANTONIO THOMASHAUSEN, Professor Emeritus of International Law at University of South Africa
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Portuguese): DRUMOND MAFUTA, Angola's November Publishing House's Chairman of the Board of Administration
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MELAKU MULUALEM, Senior international relations and diplomacy researcher, Ethiopia's Institute of Strategic Affairs
6. various of BRICS countries

STORYLINE:

The 15th BRICS Summit is set to be held in South Africa's Johannesburg on Aug. 22-24.

There are high expectations among experts and observers about the outcomes of the summit. One major focus is the membership expansion of the group.
   
Attracted by the openness and inclusiveness of BRICS, more countries have decided to apply to join the group, which reflects the shared aspiration of developing countries to focus on their own development, seek unity and cooperation, and oppose external interference.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Scholar with the Istanbul-based Marmara University
"More than 40 states are queuing up to become BRICS members, trying to establish contacts, become candidates or aspirants. Enlargement means to become stronger and the multiplication and diversification of member countries."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANDRE EDGAR ANTONIO THOMASHAUSEN, Professor Emeritus of International Law at University of South Africa
"The BRICS Summit in August this year, hosted by South Africa, has extended already an invitation to all African countries. Many new countries would like to join the BRICS. This is quite an impressive list."

Experts have highlighted the significance of this expected expansion and the potential benefits it holds.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Portuguese): DRUMOND MAFUTA, Angola's November Publishing House's Chairman of the Board of Administration
"I believe so, because China's and Brazil's presence have been crucial for the development of many African countries. This unity has helped to drive development in many African countries. We are aware of the situation in many African countries. Despite gaining independence, they struggle to lift their populations out of poverty and create the necessary infrastructure for development. With BRICS integration or participation, I believe it could provide a new impetus for economic development and the well-being of African populations."

Home to over 40 percent of the world's population and about a quarter of the global economy, the BRICS has become a force of attraction for many developing countries.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): MELAKU MULUALEM, Senior international relations and diplomacy researcher, Ethiopia's Institute of Strategic Affairs
"Of course, many African countries are interested to be part of this group. And also many of them may also apply, like Ethiopia, to join this organization. Yes, BRICS has an influence. When you see the global economy, the global population number, BRICS has a large amount or share of the world. That has become a force of attraction for other countries. And the important point for this is BRICS, especially established by developing countries. So, developing countries are sympathetic to other developing countries. So, this may be one factor for many other countries to apply to be a member of this (BRICS)."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Johannesburg, South Africa.
(XHTV)