Photo credit: Government of India
In a significant step toward advancing global collaboration on traditional medicine, WHO and the Government of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine . The Summit will take place in New Delhi from 17–19 December 2025.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary to the Government of India at the Ministry of Ayush. Senior officials from WHO and the Ministry were also present.
The memorandum was signed by Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director ad interim of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre and Ms Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Ayush, following the Second Summit Planning Group Meeting to monitor preparations for the event.
Under the theme "Restoring balance for people and planet: The science and practice of well-being," the Summit will serve as a global platform to mobilize multi-stakeholder action and commitment in support of WHO's new 10-year global strategy on traditional medicine , adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025 .
More than 500 international delegates are expected to attend the Summit in person, with an additional 5000 participants joining virtually. The event will also feature an immersive expo showcasing innovations and practices in traditional medicine from around the world.
The Summit aims to bring together experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders to foster dialogue, share knowledge, and promote evidence-based integration of traditional medicine into health systems globally.
