WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025 is hosted by India, promoting AYUSH systems, integrative healthcare, and global collaboration in traditional medicine.
India Launches Countdown to 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine
India has officially commenced the countdown to the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled to take place from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit is jointly organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH, reflecting India’s growing global role in shaping the future of traditional and integrative healthcare.
Theme and Focus Areas
Under the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,” the 2025 summit aims to bring together global stakeholders — including scientists, policymakers, health experts, and traditional medicine practitioners — to explore evidence-based integration of traditional medicine. Key focus areas include scientific validation of traditional systems, digital health innovation, biodiversity preservation, global cooperation in health, and the role of integrative medicine in achieving universal health coverage
Global Participation and Format
The summit anticipates participation from over 100 countries, with delegates comprising ministers, researchers, public-health experts, industry leaders and representatives from traditional medicine communities. The format will be hybrid — combining in-person sessions at New Delhi with virtual participation worldwide — to maximize global reach and inclusive dialogue.
India’s Role and Leadership in Traditional Medicine
India’s leadership in the field of traditional medicine has grown significantly. The establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat — in partnership with WHO — underscores the country’s commitment to promoting traditional medicine on a global scale. During the summit’s curtain-raiser event, the leadership reaffirmed the importance of India’s age-old AYUSH systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy.
In addition, a significant side event on Ashwagandha is planned — aimed at exploring its scientific properties, therapeutic potential, global demand, and standardization — highlighting how traditional Indian herbs are being positioned for global health and wellness markets.
Expected Outcomes and Vision for Integrative Healthcare
The summit seeks to chart a roadmap for the next decade under the broader framework of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which was adopted earlier in 2025. The objective is to promote safe, effective, evidence-based traditional medicine around the world — integrating holistic health systems into conventional healthcare — thereby advancing universal health coverage, health equity, and sustainable well-being.
Why This News is Important
Relevance for Government Exam Aspirants
For students preparing for competitive exams (such as civil services, banking, railways, defence, teaching, and public-sector roles), understanding global health governance, national initiatives, and India’s role on the world stage forms an essential part of general awareness and current affairs. The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is a major international event hosted by India — knowledge of its theme, objectives, and significance can enrich answers in essay-type questions and interviews.
Significance in Public Policy and Health Sector
The summit represents a major push toward integrating traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare — from policymaking, regulation, research, to global collaboration. The outcome can influence public-health policies, cross-border collaborations, and research funding — affecting long-term health infrastructure and wellness trends, which is especially relevant for aspirants aiming for roles in civil service, health administration, or public-sector undertakings.
Highlighting India’s Global Standing
India’s hosting of the summit reinforces its growing position as a global hub for traditional medicine. This bolsters India’s soft-power, global health diplomacy, and international influence. For aspirants focused on foreign affairs, diplomacy, or government strategy roles, this news underscores India’s evolving global health engagement and strategic partnerships.
Historical Context
The concept of a global summit on traditional medicine was institutionalized when the first such summit — the First WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine — was held in 2023. That event concluded with the Gujarat Declaration, which laid the groundwork for a global action agenda on traditional and integrative medicine.
In May 2025, the WHO adopted the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which offers a comprehensive roadmap for integrating safe, effective, and evidence-informed traditional medicine into national health systems. The upcoming 2025 summit builds on that foundation, aiming to convert commitments into action — through research collaborations, regulatory frameworks, biodiversity conservation, and global cooperation.
The establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar (Gujarat) further institutionalizes India’s role in global traditional medicine governance — symbolising international trust in Indian traditional health systems. The upcoming summit marks a critical milestone in this ongoing global health journey.
Key Takeaways from This News
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine will be held from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. |
| 2 | The Summit’s theme is “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.” |
| 3 | It is jointly organized by WHO and India’s Ministry of AYUSH, reflecting a global and national push for evidence-based traditional medicine. |
| 4 | Over 100 countries are expected to participate, including government officials, health experts, policymakers, scientists, and traditional medicine practitioners. |
| 5 | The Summit will provide a global platform to implement the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, promoting integrative healthcare, research, biodiversity protection, and universal health coverage. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine?
The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is an international event hosted by India from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It aims to promote evidence-based traditional medicine and integrative healthcare worldwide.
2. Who is organizing the summit?
The summit is jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
3. What is the theme of the summit?
The theme is “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being”, focusing on the integration of traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems.
4. How many countries are expected to participate?
Over 100 countries are expected to participate, including government officials, health experts, researchers, traditional medicine practitioners, and industry representatives.
5. What is India’s role in the summit?
India is hosting the summit, showcasing its AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy), and promoting research, global collaboration, and biodiversity in traditional medicine.
6. What is the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034?
It is a roadmap adopted by WHO to integrate safe, effective, and evidence-informed traditional medicine into national health systems worldwide. The summit will help implement this strategy globally.
7. Why is Ashwagandha significant in this summit?
Ashwagandha is a key Indian herb being studied for its therapeutic potential, standardization, and global demand, highlighting India’s contribution to natural remedies.
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