India prepares to host the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, bringing global leaders together to shape the future of traditional healing
Global Summit on Traditional Medicine: India Leads the Way This December
The World Health Organization (WHO) will host the second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17–19 December 2025 in New Delhi, India, with participation from governments, scientists, researchers and traditional medicine communities from across the world. India, being a global leader in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga and naturopathy, will see strong representation from the AYUSH Ministry, marking an important moment for the global traditional medicine movement.
The Summit builds on the success of the first event in 2023 and continues the mission of the Gujarat Declaration, which called for strengthening traditional medicine through scientific research, innovation and global cooperation.
AYUSH Ministry’s Key Role in the Global Summit
India’s AYUSH Ministry will play a central role in this global summit by:
- Showcasing India’s strengths in Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani, Sowa-Rigpa and naturopathy
- Sharing India’s achievements in digital health, pharmacovigilance, research, and integrative healthcare
- Highlighting Indian innovation, including dedicated research centres, AI-driven Ayurveda tools and quality-standard frameworks
- Collaborating with other WHO regions to shape the future of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034
AYUSH’s participation reflects India’s growing influence in shaping global traditional medicine policies and scientific discussions.
What Will the Global Summit Focus On?
The Summit aims to deepen scientific understanding, promote innovation, and build partnerships for traditional medicine worldwide. According to the WHO, the event will focus on four major themes:
1. Restoring Balance for Health & Well-Being
This session explores how traditional medicine supports mental, emotional, and physical balance. It also discusses justice, equity and community-based health systems.
2. Investing in Science & Research
A key priority of the global summit is to promote scientific research, clinical evidence, and innovation. This includes new product development, advanced technologies and improved safety standards.
3. Re-imagining Health Systems for the Future
This theme covers integrating traditional medicine with mainstream healthcare to strengthen safety and accessibility.
4. Measuring Progress & Accountability
The Summit will focus on data generation, quality standards, global indicators and stronger monitoring systems to support long-term growth in traditional medicine.
Major Announcements Expected at the Summit
Several important initiatives will be launched, including:
- A global roadmap of research priorities for all WHO regions
- The WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library, a digital knowledge hub
- A special WHO Bulletin issue dedicated entirely to traditional medicine research
- New pledges, innovations, products and country-level commitments
The event will also feature a Global Summit Exhibition, an immersive space showcasing traditional medicine practices, herbs, therapies, technologies, and innovations from around the world.
Also Read- A Major Boost to the Ayushman Bharat Programme: Delhi to Get 187 New Arogya Mandirs
Why This Summit Matters for India
For India, hosting the global summit is a major recognition of its leadership in traditional medicine. It strengthens the country’s global presence in Ayurveda and other traditional systems, promotes research collaborations, attracts investment and supports India’s goal of becoming a global wellness hub.
The Summit also gives India a platform to present:
- AYUSH clinical research
- Integrative healthcare models
- Digital Ayurveda initiatives
- Medicinal plant conservation efforts
- Global partnerships for traditional medicine development
This is an important step in connecting ancient Indian knowledge with modern scientific frameworks.
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