Key Highlights of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025

Key Highlights of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025

The 2nd edition of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine took place from 17 to 19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This significant event aimed to foster global collaboration in the field of traditional medicine.

Event Overview

Inaugurated by Union Minister J.P. Nadda of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the summit was organized by the WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush. The theme for this year was “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being.”

Key Highlights

• Participation: The summit attracted ministers, health officials, and traditional medicine practitioners from over 100 countries, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, evidence-based health systems.
• High-Level Engagements: On December 18, Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav met WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss collaborative efforts.
• International Cooperation: The Ministry of Ayush conducted 16 bilateral meetings with countries such as Brazil and Cuba, focusing on enhancing traditional medicine frameworks globally.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

India and Cuba signed an extension of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting Ayurvedic cooperation. This includes establishing an AYUSH Chair at a Cuban Medical University and a Panchakarma Centre in Havana.

Initiatives Launched by PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several key initiatives on December 19, 2025, to bolster the AYUSH sector:

• My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP): This digital platform enhances access to information and services related to AYUSH systems.
• Ayush Mark: A quality certification benchmark ensuring the safety and authenticity of traditional medicine products.
• Publications: The unveiling of a WHO technical report on Yoga training aims to standardize global Yoga education.
• Commemorative Postal Stamp: A stamp was released to honor Ashwagandha, symbolizing India's rich traditional medicinal heritage.

Awards and Recognition

During the summit, PM Modi also presented the PM's Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga, recognizing both national and international individuals and organizations for their contributions.

Key Inaugurations

Among notable inaugurations during the summit were:

• WHO Regional Office: The new WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in New Delhi will serve as a hub for research and regulatory cooperation.
• Traditional Medicine Global Library: This platform aims to preserve and provide access to scientific data related to traditional medicine.

Delhi Declaration

The summit concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, reaffirming traditional medicine as a global heritage and committing member countries to integrate and collaborate on traditional medicine practices.

Conclusion

The WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is a pivotal event that promotes the safe, scientific, and evidence-based use of traditional medicine worldwide. The first edition was held in 2023 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What was the theme of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025?
Answer: The theme for the summit was "Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being," focusing on integrating traditional medicine into health systems.

Q2. Which countries participated in the summit?
Answer: Over 100 countries participated, including ministers, health officials, and traditional medicine practitioners, promoting global health collaboration.

Q3. What significant agreements were made during the summit?
Answer: A notable MoU between India and Cuba was signed to establish an AYUSH Chair and a Panchakarma Centre in Havana.

Q4. What initiatives did PM Modi launch at the summit?
Answer: PM Modi launched the My Ayush Integrated Services Portal and the Ayush Mark for quality certification in traditional medicine products.

Q5. What was the outcome of the summit in terms of international cooperation?
Answer: The summit led to 16 bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening international cooperation in traditional medicine among various countries.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What was the main theme of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025?
A) Promoting Universal Health Coverage
B) Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being
C) Innovations in Modern Medicine
D) Global Health Crisis Management
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Where was the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held?
A) Gandhinagar, Gujarat
B) New Delhi, Delhi
C) Mumbai, Maharashtra
D) Kolkata, West Bengal
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Which country signed an MoU with India during the summit?
A) Brazil
B) Cuba
C) Sri Lanka
D) UAE
Correct Answer: B