WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi

Summit overview

WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi: The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine concluded in New Delhi on 20 December 2025.
The summit marked a major step in mainstreaming traditional medicine within global health systems.

It brought together health ministers, researchers, practitioners, and international agencies.
India emerged as a global convenor due to its long-standing institutionalised traditional medicine systems.

Static GK fact: The World Health Organization was founded in 1948 as a specialised UN agency for public health.

Traditional Medicine Global Library

One of the most significant outcomes was the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library.
The platform ensures equitable global access to scientific data, policy frameworks, and validated traditional knowledge.

It supports evidence-based research and assists countries in policy formulation.
The initiative aims to reduce information asymmetry between modern and traditional healthcare systems.

Static GK Tip: WHO promotes global knowledge repositories to standardise health practices across regions.

WHO SEARO inauguration

The inauguration of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) building in New Delhi reinforced India’s regional leadership.
SEARO coordinates health initiatives across 11 countries in the South-East Asian region.

The presence of SEARO strengthens cooperation on communicable diseases, health systems, and traditional medicine integration.
It also supports region-specific implementation of WHO strategies.

Static GK fact: WHO operates through six regional offices worldwide.

Digital initiatives for AYUSH

The summit witnessed the launch of the My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP).
It acts as a unified digital interface for AYUSH education, services, research, and industry stakeholders.

MAISP enhances transparency, interoperability, and governance in the AYUSH ecosystem.
It aligns with India’s broader push for digital public infrastructure in healthcare.

Static GK Tip: Digital health governance improves accessibility and regulatory oversight.

Ayush Mark and quality assurance

The proposed Ayush Mark aims to serve as a global quality benchmark for AYUSH products and services.
It focuses on safety, efficacy, and standardisation.

This initiative is expected to enhance international credibility and boost exports.
It aligns traditional medicine with global regulatory expectations.

Static GK fact: Quality certification is essential for cross-border healthcare trade.

Delhi Declaration and global strategy

The adoption of the Delhi Declaration was a defining moment of the summit.
It recognises traditional medicine as a shared biocultural heritage of humanity.

The declaration aligns with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
It emphasises sustainability, ethical use, research, and integration into national health systems.

Static GK Tip: WHO strategies provide long-term global policy direction.

Significance of traditional medicine

Traditional medicine functions as a complementary system, supporting and augmenting allopathy through holistic care.
Systems such as AYUSH and Traditional Chinese Medicine play a supportive role in preventive healthcare.

It ensures healthcare access in remote and tribal areas, where modern medical infrastructure is limited.
Community trust and local availability make it a reliable primary care option.

Traditional medicine provides affordable healthcare, especially for economically weaker sections.
Low-cost remedies reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.

It addresses mind–body well-being by integrating physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual health.
This holistic approach distinguishes traditional medicine from symptom-centric models.

Traditional practices are widely used in maternal and child healthcare for common ailments like fever and diarrhoea.
They support early intervention and community-level care.

Static GK fact: WHO estimates a large share of the global population relies on traditional medicine for primary healthcare.

India’s AYUSH ecosystem

India’s AYUSH sector includes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
The sector is valued at $43.4 billion and has expanded nearly eight-fold in the last decade.

Government initiatives like National AYUSH Mission (2014), Ayurgyan, and AOGUSY strengthen infrastructure, research, and drug quality.
Digitisation efforts include Ayush Grid and the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library.

Static GK Tip: Protecting traditional knowledge prevents biopiracy and safeguards indigenous heritage.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi: