The 2nd edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held from 17 to 19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
Exam Hints:
- What? WHO 2025 Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held
- When? From 17 to 19 December 2025
- Where? In New Delhi (Delhi)
- Edition: 2nd
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister J.P. Nadda, MoHFW
- Organizers: WHO & Ministry of Ayush
- Theme: “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being”
- MoU signed: India and Cuba to establish Cuban Medical University and Panchakarma Centre in Havana (Cuba)
- Key Initiatives Launched: MAISP, Ayush Mark
- Felicitation: PM’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga
- Inaugurations: WHO South East Asia Regional Office (New Delhi), Traditional Medicine Global Library
Highlights of the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025:
Inauguration: The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister Jagat Prakash (J.P) Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in the presence of Union Minister of State (MoS) Prataprao Jadhav, MoHFW.
Organizers & Theme: The event, organized by WHO and the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), under Government of India (GOI), was held under the theme titled “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being”
Participation: The event brought together ministers, health officials, scientists, traditional medicine practitioners, indigenous leaders and other stakeholders from over 100 countries to promote inclusive, evidence-based and sustainable health systems through traditional medicine.
High-Level Engagements:
WHO Director General: On December 18, 2025, Union MoS Prataprao Jadhav met Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General (DG), WHO.
Bilateral Meetings: The Ministry of Ayush held 16 bilateral meetings with countries, including Brazil, Nepal, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Cuba, Ghana, Thailand, Fiji, and others to strengthen international cooperation in Traditional Medicine.
- The experts from over 20 countries participated in plenary and parallel sessions, focusing on Research Collaboration, Regulatory alignment, and Integration of Traditional Medicine into national health systems.
MoU Signed: India and Cuba signed an extension of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on Ayurvedic cooperation, which includes establishing an AYUSH Chair at a Cuban Medical University and a Panchakarma Centre in Havana, Cuba.
Key Initiatives Launched by PM Modi:
On December 19, 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched key initiatives focused on the AYUSH sector and traditional medicine.
Digital & Quality Innovations: Launched My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP), a central digital platform, integrating information and services related to AYUSH systems, enhancing access for citizens and practitioners.
- Ayush Mark, a quality certification benchmark for quality, safety and authenticity of traditional medicine products and services.
Publications: Unveiled WHO technical report on training in Yoga, aimed at standardising and strengthening global Yoga education.
- Launched a Book titled “From Roots to Global Reach: 11 Years of Transformation in AYUSH”
- A Commemorative Postal Stamp on Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a traditional medicinal plant also called as “Indian ginseng”, was released, symbolizing India’s traditional medicinal heritage and its global relevance.
Awards Felicitation: PM Modi felicitated the winners of the PM’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Yoga to national and international individuals and organizations.
- He also visited the Traditional Medicine Discovery Space, an exhibition showcasing global traditional medicine systems and innovations.
Key Inaugurations:
WHO Regional Office: During the event, PM Modi and Dr. Tedros inaugurated WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in New Delhi. It will also house the WHO India Country Office.
- The new complex will serve as a global hub for research, regulatory cooperation, and capacity building in the South-East Asia region, strengthening India’s partnership with the WHO.
Global Library: PM Modi launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a global platform to preserve and provide equal access to scientific data, policies, and verified knowledge on traditional medicine.
Delhi Declaration Adoption: The summit concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, which reaffirmed traditional medicine as a shared global heritage and committed countries to strengthening evidence, regulation, integration and collaboration in line with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034.
About WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine: It is an international conference organized by the WHO to promote the safe, scientific and evidence-based use of traditional medicine worldwide.
- The first edition was held in 2023 at Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
About World Health Organization (WHO):
Overview: WHO, a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for global public health, was established on 7 April 1948, which is celebrated every year as World Health Day.
- WHO has 194 Member States.
Functions: WHO leads global efforts to prevent diseases and promote health, sets international health standards and guidelines, and supports countries in health policy, research, and capacity building.
- It also coordinates responses to health emergencies and pandemics and promotes Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Director General (DG) – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Establishment – 1948
