2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine: A New Global Initiative for Traditional Medicine in India
2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine: A New Global Initiative for Traditional Medicine in India
India will host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from December 17-19, 2025. This conference — jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush (Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) of the Government of India — will bring together experts, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) from around the world. The venue is Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Preparation and Background of the Summit
Agreement and Official Confirmation
On September 25, 2025, the WHO and the Government of India signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming that the summit would take place in December. This agreement stipulated that the global conference would be held from December 17-19, 2025.
This is a new initiative following the success of the first Global Summit held in 2023 — a global step towards integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems.
Leadership and Expert Panel
For this summit, the WHO constituted a 15-member Steering Committee in August 2025 — comprising experts with experience in traditional medicine, public health, and policy. This committee will determine the conference theme, agenda, research and scientific review, and strategic guidelines.
The main theme of this year’s summit is:
“Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being” — that is, rebalancing the scientific and practical aspects of traditional medicine from the perspective of health, well-being, and environmental sustainability.
Summit Objectives and Potential Significance
This summit is not merely a discussion forum or a cultural celebration — its objective is to establish traditional medicine (TM) as a scientific, safe, and system-based option within the global health system. The main objectives are as follows:
- To integrate traditional medicine systems (such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, etc.) into national and international health systems in a safe, evidence-based, and inclusive manner.
- To provide a global platform for traditional medicine knowledge, research, and practices – facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and learning among ancient medical systems of different countries.
- To shape the future of traditional medicine with new scientific discoveries, innovations, policy and regulation, biodiversity conservation, intellectual property, and future technologies (such as AI, biology).
- To establish a global roadmap – specifically, to implement the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
What to expect at the conference – Agenda and Highlights
This summit features a three-day program (December 17–19), with both on-site (New Delhi) and virtual (online) participation possible.
Main Sessions and Topics
- Plenary Sessions: Following the opening ceremony, the first plenary session will be “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,” which will lay the foundation for the overall theme.
- Parallel Sessions: More than 16 concurrent sessions will be held during the conference, covering topics such as traditional medicine and health knowledge, inclusion of traditional medicine in health systems, traditional medicine for environmental and planetary health, equitable regulation & resource governance, etc.
- Traditional Medicine Discovery Experience: An expo-like experience where attendees can explore and understand various traditional medicine practices, innovations, and cultural and scientific blends.
Pre-Opening – Diplomatic and Preparatory Events
- On November 10, 2025, an “Ambassadors’ Reception” was held in Delhi, where more than 50 foreign ambassadors and high-ranking representatives were invited to discuss the summit’s direction, global significance, and partnership opportunities. * Following this, a curtain-raiser press conference was held in Delhi on December 9, 2025, where the framework, theme, agenda, and other preparations for the event were unveiled.
What to Expect — for Global Health, Policy, and Traditional Medicine
- Scientific and Regulatory Recognition of Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine has often been a subject of controversy globally – while some dismiss it as an “outdated tradition,” many consider it a safe and accessible form of treatment. This summit aims to integrate traditional medicine with modern scientific approaches, evidence-based research, and appropriate regulatory frameworks to gain its acceptance within the global health system.
This is part of a global roadmap under the 2025–2034 strategy, which will incorporate traditional medicine into the agenda for Universal Health Coverage and global well-being.
- Health Inequity and Access — An Inclusive Model
In many countries around the world, traditional medicine remains the most accessible and primary point of care, especially in rural, tribal, and underdeveloped areas. This summit will provide the WHO and participating countries with an opportunity to understand and share how traditional medicine can be integrated into health systems in a safe, high-quality, and inclusive manner — thereby reducing health inequalities.
- Biodiversity, Cultural Knowledge, and Equitable Partnerships
Traditional medicine often relies on local, Indigenous, and cultural knowledge. The conference will discuss issues such as biodiversity conservation, intellectual property, benefit-sharing, and the protection of traditional knowledge systems — connecting traditional medicine not only to a medical model but also to aspects of cultural and social justice.
- Innovation, Technology, and Future Challenges
The summit will also discuss new innovations, medicines, processes, and the potential application of modern science — such as data science, AI, and biology — in the field of traditional medicine. The WHO has indicated that this conference aims to position traditional medicine not merely as “ancient or folk medicine,” but as an integral part of future integrated, scientific health systems.
India’s Role and Significance — Why this Conference in New Delhi?
- Historical, Cultural, and Medical Heritage: India is a country where Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and many other traditional medicine systems have been practiced for centuries. India’s role in increasing their global acceptance and recognition is natural.
- Investor and Policymaker Perspectives: Both the government (Ministry of AYUSH) and the WHO are working together to establish traditional medicine within a modern, evidence-based health model.
- Global Leadership: Following the success of the first summit in 2023, hosting the second summit in 2025 demonstrates India’s leadership capabilities in the field of global health and traditional medicine. * Addressing Global Health Challenges: Growing lifestyle-related problems—such as chronic diseases, mental health issues, and lifestyle diseases—for which traditional medicine, yoga, and holistic health models can be effective.
Challenges and Potential Controversies
While enthusiasm for traditional medicine is growing, there are also some challenges and controversies:
- Lack of Evidence-Based Research: Limited scientific studies are currently available on many aspects of traditional medicine. Therefore, it is crucial that the summit emphasizes rigorous clinical trials, data collection, and systematic reviews.
- Regulation, Safety, and Quality Control: Caution will be necessary regarding the quality, side effects, and potential misuse of traditional medicines, herbs, and procedures.
- Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge, and Benefit Sharing: Ensuring justice, respect, and equitable benefit sharing when utilizing the knowledge of indigenous and cultural communities is essential.
- Integration vs. Discrimination: Integrating traditional medicine into mainstream health systems requires striking a balance that preserves the strengths of both modern and traditional medicine without prioritizing one over the other.
Media and Diplomatic Initiatives – What has already been done in preparation?
- The summit’s framework was presented to ambassadors and high commissioners from over 50 countries at diplomatic events held in Delhi on November 9-10, 2025. This ensured that the participation of over 100 countries is not merely a media report but a genuine diplomatic commitment.
- A curtain-raiser event was held on December 8 for the Ministry of AYUSH and media representatives, revealing the summit’s theme, agenda, number of participants, and expected discussion topics.
Potential Outcomes of the Conference and Impact on Global Health
If this summit is successful—that is, if consensus is reached on broad scientific, policy-making, and regulatory aspects—it could have several positive outcomes:
- Establishing traditional medicine as a safe, scientific, and reliable option.
- Making healthcare systems in countries more holistic and inclusive—thereby increasing access to healthcare services for more people. 3. Balancing traditional and modern medicine — preventing over-reliance on pharmaceuticals, promoting preventive, lifestyle-based, and person-centered care.
- Innovation in the traditional medicine sector, creating new opportunities for medicines, herbs, health services, products, and the traditional medicine industry.
- Preserving and equitably utilizing cultural, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge — along with biodiversity conservation, benefit-sharing, intellectual property frameworks, etc.
Furthermore, this summit will develop a roadmap for the period 2025–2034 — which will guide policies, research priorities, regulations, global cooperation, and a collective approach to health.
Conclusion
The second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, taking place in New Delhi from December 17–19, 2025, is a crucial turning point where traditional medicine, modern science, global health policy, research and innovation, and cultural knowledge will converge. This is more than just a conference.