WHO opens Global Traditional Medicine Summit, launching major scientific initiatives

To close critical research gaps, WHO unveiled the Traditional Medicine Global Library, the world’s first comprehensive digital hub dedicated to TM science and policy.

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Government of India, today opened the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, bringing together government ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners from over 100 countries. The Summit marks a major step toward implementing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which focuses on stronger evidence, better regulation, improved systems integration, enhanced collaboration and deepened community engagement.

The Summit, held in New Delhi from 17–19 December 2025, is expected to launch new scientific initiatives, announce government commitments, and call for a global consortium to accelerate action on traditional medicine (TM) worldwide.

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Traditional Medicine: A Foundation of Health for Billions

Traditional medicine includes both codified systems (such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani) and non-codified Indigenous healing practices. These knowledge systems long predate modern biomedicine and continue to evolve alongside it.

Globally, 170 out of 194 WHO Member States report that 40–90% of their populations use traditional medicine—either as a primary source of health care or as a preferred complementary option that is affordable, culturally aligned, and accessible.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the opportunity to unite ancient wisdom with emerging technologies:“By engaging responsibly, ethically, and equitably, and by harnessing innovation from AI to genomics, we can unlock the potential of traditional medicine to deliver safer, smarter, and more sustainable health solutions for every community and for our planet.”

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Integrating Traditional Medicine into Health Systems

Nearly 4.6 billion people still lack access to essential health services, and over 2 billion experience financial hardship when seeking care. Strengthening TM within national health systems is seen as a critical strategy to:

• Expand access to affordable, people-centred health care

• Reduce financial barriers

• Support universal health coverage (UHC)

• Promote prevention and health literacy

• Improve responsible use of antibiotics

Emerging evidence shows that TM integration can reduce costs and improve outcomes, but it requires:

• Rigorous scientific evaluation

• Global safety and quality standards

• Strong regulatory mechanisms

WHO Chief Scientist Dr Sylvie Briand said:“We need to apply the same scientific rigor to both biomedicine and traditional medicines, while respecting biodiversity, cultural specificities and ethical principles.”

She highlighted the role of modern technologies—including AI, genomics, systems biology, neuroscience and advanced data analytics—in transforming TM research and practice.

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Driving Innovation, Investment and Biodiversity Stewardship

Traditional medicine contributes to rapidly growing global industries such as herbal medicines, which are increasingly integrated into health care and commercial supply chains. More than half of biomedical pharmaceuticals originate from natural resources, many of which have roots in traditional knowledge.

Indigenous Peoples safeguard 40% of the world’s biodiversity despite representing only 6% of the global population. Ensuring that TM development is inclusive requires addressing:

• Indigenous rights

• Fair trade practices

• Equitable benefit-sharing

Despite its widespread use, less than 1% of global health research funding goes toward traditional medicine.

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Launch of WHO’s Traditional Medicine Global Library

To close critical research gaps, WHO unveiled the Traditional Medicine Global Library, the world’s first comprehensive digital hub dedicated to TM science and policy. The Library includes:

• 1.6 million+ scientific records

• Collections of policies, regulations, and evidence reviews

• Peer-reviewed content accessible through Research4Life for institutions in low-income countries

• Tools to help countries document TM systems while protecting intellectual property

• Support for scientific capacity building and innovation

Developed following requests by global leaders during G20 and BRICS meetings, the Library aims to democratize knowledge and accelerate evidence generation.

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A Global Movement for Traditional Medicine

Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director a.i. of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre, emphasized the broader significance of the Summit:

“Advancing traditional medicine is an evidence-based, ethical, and environmental imperative. The Summit fosters the collaborations required for TM to contribute at scale to the flourishing of all people and the planet.”

Over the coming days, the Summit will also feature:

• Announcements of new country commitments

• Multilateral pledges to scale up TM research

• A call for a global consortium to fill systemic gaps

• Strategies to accelerate implementation of the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034

The gathering marks a pivotal moment in aligning traditional healing systems with global scientific, environmental, and public health priorities.