India Begins Countdown to 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

India has officially launched the countdown to the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, which will be co‑hosted by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event follows India’s successful hosting of the first summit in Gujarat in 2023, reaffirming the country’s role as a global leader in traditional health systems.

Theme and Global Participation

The 2025 summit will revolve around the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well‑being.”

Key focus areas includem

• Scientific validation of traditional medicine
• Digital health and innovation
• Biodiversity protection
• Global collaboration for integrative healthcare

Participation is expected from over 100 countries, including ministers, policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, public health experts, and traditional medicine practitioners.

India’s Traditional Medicine Leadership

Shri Jadhav underscored India’s centuries‑old Ayush systems—Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa‑Rigpa, and Homoeopathy—which have become popular worldwide as holistic healing systems.

A major milestone in India’s global leadership is the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, developed through India–WHO partnership. This reflects growing international confidence in India’s knowledge systems.

Focus on Ashwagandha: From Tradition to Science

A dedicated side event on Ashwagandha—one of India’s most studied medicinal plants—will run alongside the summit. The session aims to bridge ancient wisdom with modern research, highlighting,

• Adaptogenic benefits (stress regulation)
• Neuroprotective and immune‑modulating effects
• Safety and standardization needs

Experts from academia, healthcare, industry, and global organizations will contribute insights, strengthening Ashwagandha’s acceptance in international health markets.

Significance of the Summit

Dr. Poonam Khetrapal, Senior Advisor on Traditional Medicine to the WHO Director‑General, called the summit a milestone for global health governance, noting that it will shape a decade‑long roadmap for integrating traditional and Indigenous medicine into health systems.

She emphasized,

• The need for evidence generation
• Innovation for safety and quality
• Regulatory strengthening to support growing public reliance

This aligns with rising global demand for integrative medicine that balances scientific validation with traditional healing practices.

Context: What is Traditional Medicine?

Traditional medicine refers to health practices rooted in cultural knowledge—including herbal medicine, spiritual therapies, yoga, acupuncture, naturopathy, and Indigenous healing systems.

Globally, more than 80% of people use some form of traditional medicine, especially in primary care.

Modern healthcare trends increasingly focus on,

• Integration with biomedicine
• Standardization and research
• Sustainable biodiversity use
• Digital monitoring and analytics

The WHO summit provides a platform to address all these dimensions.

Political and Institutional Engagement

The curtain raiser saw participation from senior leaders of the Ministry of Ayush, Press Information Bureau, and WHO. It builds on a prior Ambassadors’ Reception held in November 2025, where diplomats were briefed about India‑WHO collaboration.

The Prime Minister is expected to attend the closing ceremony, reinforcing India’s political commitment to global health cooperation.

Key Takeaways

• India will host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17–19 December 2025 in New Delhi.
• The summit theme is “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well‑being.”
• Participation expected from over 100 countries, including top policymakers and health experts.
• A major side event on Ashwagandha will explore its scientific properties and global market potential.
• India’s Ayush systems and WHO centre in Jamnagar highlight its role in shaping global traditional medicine discourse.