India will host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from 17-19 December 2025, co-organized by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Ayush. Under the theme ‘Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,’ the summit will bring together global leaders, scientists, policymakers, and Indigenous knowledge holders to advance sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based health systems.
Guided by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, discussions will focus on integrating Traditional Medicine into national healthcare, highlighting scientific research, policy innovation, and ethical governance.
The opening plenary will explore restoring balance in health systems through scientific rigor, equitable governance, biodiversity stewardship, and Indigenous rights. Subsequent sessions will address investing in research and innovation, re-imagining health systems for safety and resilience, and establishing accountability frameworks rooted in transparency, data, and digital technologies.
Over three days, more than 170 experts across 25 sessions will examine topics such as biodiversity conservation, intellectual property protection, and the responsible use of technology in Traditional Medicine. Twenty-one innovations from various regions will be showcased, emphasizing the field’s growing role in sustainable development and universal health coverage.
With participation from over 100 countries and a hybrid format enabling global engagement, the Summit will foster collaboration among governments, practitioners, and civil society. Expected outcomes include new partnerships, policy commitments, and initiatives to strengthen global cooperation and evidence-based integration of Traditional Medicine into modern healthcare systems.
