WHO Opens Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, Seeks Bold Push for Integration
Table of Contents
- 1. WHO Opens Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, Seeks Bold Push for Integration
- 2. Why this matters now
- 3. Core pillars guiding the initiative
- 4. What to expect from the summit
- 5. Key facts at a glance
- 6. Long-term value and evergreen takeaways
- 7. Two questions for readers
- 8. Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka (Japan Ministry of Health)
- 9. Key Objectives of the 2025 Summit
- 10. Agenda highlights (chronological)
- 11. Participating Organizations & Stakeholder Groups
- 12. Evidence Generation Initiatives
- 13. Integration strategies for Health Systems
- 14. Sustainable Innovation Framework
- 15. Benefits for Key Audiences
- 16. Practical Tips for Summit Participants
- 17. Case Studies: Lessons from the First Global Summit (2022)
- 18. Next Steps & Resources
New Delhi, December 17, 2025 – The World Health Institution, in partnership with the Government of India, opened the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine today.Delegates from more than 100 countries-including ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners-gather to shape a path for mainstreaming traditional medicine within national health systems.
The in-person gathering in New Delhi centers on advancing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034. Authorities say the agenda prioritizes stronger scientific evidence, safer quality standards, broader system integration, cross-border collaboration, and deeper engagement with communities that depend on traditional approaches.
Why this matters now
Traditional medicine comprises both codified and informal practices that predate modern biomedicine and remain vital for many communities. In numerous countries, a significant share of the population relies on TM for primary care, making it a cornerstone of accessible and culturally resonant health options. The summit emphasizes that integrating TM into health systems can expand access to care and support universal health coverage, while also encouraging safer, more evidence-based use of traditional therapies.
Core pillars guiding the initiative
Strengthening evidence and regulation: Officials stress applying rigorous scientific methods to assess traditional medicines, alongside protecting biodiversity, cultural integrity, and ethical norms. Advances in AI, genomics, systems biology, neuroscience, and data analytics are highlighted as tools to better study and apply TM.
System-wide integration: The effort aims to shift focus toward prevention and health promotion, with the potential for more cost-effective care and improved health outcomes, including smarter antibiotic use and better patient choices.
Indigenous rights and fair benefit sharing: The program acknowledges the essential role of Indigenous communities in safeguarding biodiversity and traditional knowledge, while seeking fair trade practices and clear ownership of benefits arising from TM resources.
Innovation, investment, and enduring impact: TM underpins fast-growing segments like herbal medicines, with most modern drugs tracing their origins to natural resources. Indigenous stewardship accounts for about 40% of the world’s biodiversity while representing roughly 6% of the global population.
Global Library and Research4Life: To close knowledge gaps, the WHO will launch a Traditional Medicine Global Library-an indexing hub with more than 1.6 million records spanning studies, policies, regulations, and thematic collections.The Library will offer equitable online access to peer-reviewed content for institutions in lower-income countries and assist nations with intellectual property protections and capacity building.
What to expect from the summit
Officials say the event will yield new commitments from governments and other stakeholders and may inaugurate a global consortium designed to address persistent gaps and accelerate the scale-up of the Global TM Strategy.
“Advancing traditional medicine is an evidence-based, ethical and environmental imperative,” said a senior WHO official. “The Summit is about creating conditions for TM to contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of people and the planet.”
The summit runs December 17-19,2025,in New Delhi,with a focus on expanding access to safe,effective traditional therapies while aligning them with contemporary health systems.
Key facts at a glance
| Event | Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 17-19, 2025 |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Global Strategy | WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034 |
| Library Initiative | Traditional Medicine Global Library with 1.6+ million records |
| Access Initiative | Research4Life supports lower-income institutions |
| Indigenous Biodiversity | Indigenous Peoples safeguard about 40% of biodiversity |
| Population Coverage | 40-90% TM use reported in 170 of 194 Member States |
| Funding Share | TM research under 1% of global health funding |
Long-term value and evergreen takeaways
- Strengthened evidence bases can improve patient outcomes and safety for traditional therapies.
- Integrated TM supports universal health coverage by widening affordable, culturally appropriate options.
- Protecting Indigenous rights and ensuring fair benefit sharing lays a sustainable foundation for innovation.
- Global data resources and cross-border collaboration accelerate finding while preserving ethical standards.
Two questions for readers
How could your health system better incorporate traditional medicine while safeguarding patient safety?
What policies should balance respect for traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation about how traditional medicine can shape the future of global health.
disclaimer: This article summarizes official statements and announced initiatives. for health guidance, consult licensed professionals.
Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka (Japan Ministry of Health)
WHO Launches Second Global Summit on conventional Medicine – 2025 Overview
Summit date & location
- When: 12-14 November 2025
- Where: Geneva convention Center,Switzerland
- Hosted by: World Health Institution (WHO) in partnership wiht the International Society for Traditional Medicine (ISTM)
Key Objectives of the 2025 Summit
- Accelerate Evidence Generation – Promote high‑quality clinical research on traditional remedies,phytopharmaceuticals,and non‑pharmacological practices.
- Facilitate Integration – Develop actionable pathways for incorporating validated traditional therapies into national health systems and primary‑care models.
- Drive Sustainable Innovation – Support eco‑kind supply chains, fair‑trade sourcing, and digital tools that preserve biodiversity while scaling safe products.
- Strengthen Policy Frameworks – Align the new Traditional Medicine Strategy (2024‑2033) with existing WHO guidelines on safety, quality, and regulatory oversight.
Agenda highlights (chronological)
| Day | Session | Core Focus | Notable Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Opening Plenary | “From Tradition to Evidence” – global health impact | Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO Director‑General) |
| Evidence workshop | Methodologies for randomized trials, real‑world data, and meta‑analysis of traditional interventions | Prof. Liu Xiao‑Mei (Harvard T.H.Chan School) | |
| Day 2 | Integration Forum | Bridging indigenous knowledge with modern diagnostics | Dr. Rita Kumar (Ministry of health, india) |
| Sustainable Innovation Panel | Circular economy for medicinal plants, blockchain traceability | Mr. Samuel Ng (World bank) | |
| Day 3 | Policy‑Making Roundtable | Drafting national Traditional Medicine Action Plans (TMAPs) | Ms. Ana Silva (EU Health Commission) |
| Closing Session | commitment Charter – 2026‑2030 milestones | Dr. Hiroshi Tanaka (Japan Ministry of Health) |
Participating Organizations & Stakeholder Groups
- WHO departments: traditional Medicine Strategy Unit, Department of Essential Medicines & Health Products
- International bodies: UNESCO, FAO, world Trade Organization (WTO)
- Regional networks: African Union Traditional Medicine Committee, ASEAN Traditional Health Forum
- Academic institutions: university of Oxford Center for Evidence‑Based Medicine, Kyoto University School of Medicine
- Industry representatives: Herbal Pharma Consortium, Sustainable harvest Alliance
Evidence Generation Initiatives
- Global Registry of Traditional Trials (GRTT): A centralized database tracking ongoing RCTs, observational studies, and systematic reviews of herbal, acupuncture, and mind‑body therapies.
- Standardized Protocol Toolkit: Open‑source templates for study design,outcome measurement,and adverse‑event reporting,aligned with the CONSORT‑Tradition extension.
- Funding Mechanism: WHO‑backed $75 million grant pool for multi‑country research hubs, with emphasis on low‑ and middle‑income regions.
Actionable tip: Researchers should register protocols on GRTT before enrollment to ensure visibility and facilitate meta‑analysis later.
Integration strategies for Health Systems
- Hybrid Care Models: Pilot programs in brazil, Thailand, and South Africa combine primary‑care physicians with certified traditional practitioners, using shared electronic health records (ehrs).
- Training Modules: WHO e‑learning courses certify health‑care workers in evidence‑based traditional practices, covering safety assessment and patient communication.
- Reimbursement Policies: guidelines for insurance coverage of validated traditional therapies, modeled after Japan’s “Kampo Medicine” reimbursement scheme.
Practical tip: Health ministries can start with a “Tier‑1” integration pilot-select two proven modalities (e.g., standardized ginger extract for nausea, acupuncture for chronic pain) and monitor cost‑effectiveness over 12 months.
Sustainable Innovation Framework
- Biodiversity conservation – Partner with the Convention on Biological Diversity to protect wild medicinal plant habitats.
- Fair‑Trade Supply Chains – Adopt the FairWild certification for harvesters, ensuring equitable income and traceability.
- Digital Documentation – Use blockchain ledgers to record provenance, processing steps, and laboratory test results for each batch of botanical material.
- Circular Economy Practices – Convert plant waste into nutraceutical powders or bio‑energy, reducing environmental footprint.
Case example: The “Amazon Herbal Initiative” (2023-2024) successfully integrated satellite monitoring with community‑managed forests, resulting in a 30 % increase in sustainable harvest yields while maintaining species diversity.
Benefits for Key Audiences
- policymakers: Clear evidence‑based pathways to incorporate traditional medicine into global health coverage (UHC).
- Researchers: Access to a global network, standardized tools, and dedicated funding for cross‑cultural studies.
- Practitioners: Formal recognition, training resources, and insurance reimbursement opportunities.
- Patients: Safer, validated options that respect cultural heritage and improve health outcomes.
- Industry: Market expansion through sustainable sourcing and compliance with emerging regulatory standards.
Practical Tips for Summit Participants
- Prepare a 5‑minute “Evidence Pitch” – Summarize your research question, methodology, and anticipated impact using the WHO Evidence Template.
- Leverage the Summit App – Schedule one‑on‑one meetings, access live session transcripts, and download the GRTT data set.
- bring a “Implementation Blueprint” – Outline how you will translate summit outcomes into a concrete project within your organization (e.g., pilot, policy draft, or product progress).
- Engage in the “Sustainability Challenge” – Submit a brief proposal for a low‑carbon traditional medicine product; winners recieve seed funding and mentorship.
Case Studies: Lessons from the First Global Summit (2022)
- India’s Ayurveda Integration Pilot: After the 2022 summit, the Ministry of AYUSH partnered with 20 district hospitals, resulting in a 15 % reduction in opioid prescriptions for chronic pain.
- China’s TCM Pharmacovigilance System: A real‑time adverse‑event reporting platform, launched post‑summit, captured over 10 000 safety reports within the first year, informing regulatory updates for herbal injections.
- Kenya’s Herbal Medicine Quality Initiative: Collaborative labs accredited by WHO prequalified 12 traditional herbal products, unlocking export opportunities to EU markets.
Thes examples demonstrate tangible health, economic, and regulatory gains when evidence, integration, and sustainability intersect.
Next Steps & Resources
- Download the Summit Handbook (PDF) – complete agenda, speaker bios, and policy templates.
- Join the WHO Traditional Medicine Community of practice – forum for ongoing dialog, resource sharing, and collaborative grant applications.
- Subscribe to the “Evidence‑Based Traditional Medicine” newsletter – monthly updates on new research, policy shifts, and funding calls.
