India is set to host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from 17–19 December 2025

India is set to host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from 17–19 December 2025.

Key Highlights
- Theme:
“Restoring Balance for People and Planet: The Science and Practice of Well-Being.”
- Launch Event:
WHO will unveil the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), the world’s largest digital repository on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine, with over 1.5 million records.
- Participation:
Policymakers, scientists, practitioners, regulators, and communities from across WHO’s 194 Member States will attend.

India’s Role:
- India has 3,844 AYUSH hospitals, 36,848 dispensaries, and more than 755,000 registered practitioners.
- Systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy are formally recognized under the Ministry of AYUSH.
- India hosted the first summit in Gujarat in 2023, which produced the Gujarat Declaration emphasizing evidence-based integration of traditional medicine.

Objectives of the Summit
- Strengthen the evidence base through research, innovation, and culturally appropriate studies.
- Support safe, quality traditional medicine via regulation, standards, and ethical practices.
- Integrate traditional medicine into national health systems, especially primary care.
- Promote cross-sector partnerships, biodiversity conservation, and protection of Indigenous knowledge.

Global Context
- Traditional medicine is used in 170 of 194 WHO Member States.
- The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 aims to ensure universal access to safe, effective, and people-centric traditional medicine.
- India’s expertise and infrastructure position it as a global leader in advancing evidence-based traditional healthcare.

This summit will be a landmark moment, showcasing how ancient knowledge and modern science can converge to promote health equity and sustainability worldwide.