NewzVille Desk
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine inaugurated today by Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, in the presence of Minister of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO, also shared a video message that was played during the inaugural session. The session marks the beginning of the three-day mega global scientific congregation being held from 17-19 December 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to grace the closing ceremony of the Summit on 19 December 2025. The theme of the Summit is “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being,”
The summit is being jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The event brings together policymakers, scientists, practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders and civil society leaders from around the world to advance a shared vision of balanced, inclusive and sustainable health systems.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his video message, appreciated India’s partnership and leadership in the field of traditional medicine. Emphasizing that health is not only about technology and treatment but also about balance, dignity and the shared wisdom of humanity.
He noted that the World Health Assembly earlier this year adopted the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. The strategy focuses on strengthening the evidence base to guide decisions through science and data, ensuring safety and quality through effective regulation, integrating traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) into national health systems beginning with primary health care, and unlocking its broader value for biodiversity, sustainability and community well-being.
He further highlighted that to translate this strategy into action, WHO has established the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India.
In his in address, Prataprao Jadhav said, “India’s collaboration with the World Health Organization reflects a shared commitment to bring traditional medicine into the mainstream of global healthcare through science, standards, and evidence. Since the partnership began in 2016, significant milestones have been achieved, including the launch of ICD-11 Module 2 in 2024, integrating Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani morbidity codes into international health classification. Ongoing work on the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) and the upcoming WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, scheduled for completion in October 2025, underscore a decisive shift towards global acceptance, harmonization, and institutional strengthening of traditional medicine.”
Jadhav also said “India continues to expand international cooperation in the field of traditional medicine through education, research, and capacity building. Ashwagandha trials in the United Kingdom, Guduchi studies in Germany, and Ayurveda-based diabetes research in Latvia, are generating a growing body of evidence. Leveraging digital platforms such as the Ayush Grid and advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, India is systematically documenting and validating traditional knowledge to address contemporary global health challenges.”
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted that the Summit builds on the momentum of the first WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine and the Gujarat Declaration, reaffirming a shared global commitment to science-based, sustainable, and equitable Traditional Medicine.
He emphasized India’s role as a committed partner to WHO and Member States, underscored the significance of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar as a global hub for policy, research, and innovation.
The ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries including Dr. Goh Cheng Soon (Malaysia) and Prof. Motlalepula Matsabisa (South Africa), Co-chairs of the Steering Committee of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine; Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre; Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health, Republic of South Africa; H.E. Luqi Huang, Vice Commissioner, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China; Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef Monnard, Chile, Member, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNFPII), and the senior officials of Ministry of Ayush.
