Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine: Restoring Global Health

Traditional Medicine (TM), encompassing a diverse body of knowledge, skills, and practices grounded in the theories, beliefs, and experiences intrinsic to various cultural traditions, is employed for the maintenance of health as well as for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of physical and mental illnesses. It is currently practiced in approximately 88 percent of the Member States across all six regions of the World Health Organization (WHO).[1] TM emphasizes on nature-based remedies and holistic, personalized approaches to restore harmony among the mind, body, and environment. As individuals today take a more active role in managing their health, health systems continue to evolve, striving to provide people-centered care that respects cultural traditions while embracing scientific progress. WHO acknowledges the expanding role of TM across the globe and emphasizes the importance of its evidence-based integration into modern health systems. Responding to this growing relevance, the World Health Assembly in 2023 called for the formulation of a new global strategy “Global Traditional Medicine strategy 2025–2034” through broad consultations with Member States, experts, and stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, international experts, etc.[2] This initiative aligns with the World Health Assembly resolution (WHA76.16) on the health of Indigenous Peoples, reaffirming their right to TM and to maintain their health practices, including the preservation of medicinal plant resources.[3] This new global strategy outlines several strategic objectives, each supported by specific directions such as promoting high-quality research, harnessing technological innovations, establishing robust regulatory mechanisms for products, practices, and practitioners, and ensuring integration of TM into health systems across the care continuum and life course. It also emphasizes cross-sectoral policies and action plans aimed at safeguarding traditional medicinal knowledge while ensuring equitable access and benefit-sharing.[2] The strategy provides a comprehensive global roadmap to ensure that TM is integrated into healthcare systems further promoting biodiversity conservation, and fostering sustainability and innovation in healthcare. SECOND WHO GLOBAL SUMMIT ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE Building on the foundational concepts of the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is being organized on December 17–19, 2025, in New Delhi.[4] The upcoming Summit will concentrate on the theme “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being,” and will comprehensively explore the scientific advancements shaping the sector, with particular focus on vital issues including the conservation of biodiversity, safeguarding of Intellectual Property Rights, and the transformative capabilities presented by Artificial Intelligence. WHO and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. The summit will act as a global platform to mobilize multi-stakeholder action and commitments aligned with the WHO’s new global strategy for TM, and is expected to host over 500 international delegates in person, with an additional 5000 participants joining virtually. The event will also showcase innovations and best practices from TM communities worldwide, aiming to foster dialogue, knowledge exchange, and promote evidence-based integration of TM into global health systems.[5] The provisional agenda for the summit is knowledge sharing on the topics including restoring balance, TM in rebalancing ecosystems for planetary health, Impact of meditation on health– restoring balance from individual to social and ecological well-being, Re-imagining health systems for balance, safety and resilience, Regulation of practice, practitioners, capacity building and TM in health system resilience, Measuring progress and charting the way forward, etc. The upcoming Summit will include plenary and parallel sessions, high-level events, the launch of new tools, and interactive experiences designed to advance the global agenda on traditional medicine.[6] The goals for the upcoming Summit build upon the consensus established by the Gujarat Declaration, which emerged from the 1st WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit held in 2023, reaffirming the global commitments to indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM).[7] The Summit aims to deepen discussion and action on these themes, bringing together global leaders, scientists, practitioners, and communities to implement the Global Strategy and translate the Gujarat Declaration into concrete health outcomes. In this regard, an Ambassadors’ Reception was held in New Delhi on November 10, 2025, as a precursor to the Summit on Traditional Medicine. This high-level meeting was attended by ambassadors, high commissioners, and diplomatic representatives from over 100 nations. It aimed to reaffirm collective commitment towards strengthening international cooperation, promoting evidence-based TM, and shaping a global health ecosystem where traditional knowledge and modern science work in synergy.[8] Ayurveda, the established traditional system of medicine in India, offers long-term and sustainable solutions for overall physical and mental health, playing a promising role in addressing global challenges such as, epidemics, antibiotic-resistant infections, and noncommunicable diseases. Rooted in the principle of harmony between the individual and the ecosystem, this healthcare system not only provides a holistic approach to human well-being but also contributes valuable insights for ecological sustainability. In an era marked by increasing lifestyle disorders and environmental degradation threatening public health, it emphasizes prevention, balance, and mindful living.[9] Further, its holistic perspective, emphasizes interconnectedness and advocates for approaches that integrate cultural knowledge, ecological preservation, and equitable health outcomes to foster overall well-being and environmental resilience.[10] Restoring the balance is not merely the theme of a summit – it is a global health imperative. It is an invitation to build health systems that are inclusive, resilient, culturally rooted, and globally relevant. The Summit will aid in crafting robust policies, regulatory safeguards, and collaborative frameworks allowing TM to flourish responsibly in collaboration with different segments of health, including preventive health, lifestyle modification, mental well-being, alongside contemporary medicines in synergy, while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of traditional heritage and knowledge.