Global Health Milestone: WHO Summit Charts New Course for Traditional Medicine
A landmark summit concluded in New Delhi, signaling a pivotal shift in how the world views and integrates traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems. The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, co-hosted with the Government of India, drew over 16,000 online participants and 800 delegates from more than 100 countries, including representatives from over 20 nations.
A Call to Action, Not Just Dialogue
The summit, which featured 160 speakers, wasn’t simply a forum for discussion. It was a catalyst for action, focused on strengthening health systems with safe, evidence-based, and affordable care through the strategic use of traditional medicine (TM). The energy in Delhi was described as palpable as ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners converged to advance the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
Unveiling the Traditional Medicine Global Library
A key outcome of the summit was the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), a groundbreaking digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources on TM. This first-of-its-kind resource encompasses scientific studies and Indigenous knowledge, and boasts advanced features like Evidence Gap Maps and an AI-powered tool, TMGL GPT, designed to transform access to reliable information and accelerate research globally.
Fostering Innovation: Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I)
Innovation took center stage with the introduction of Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I), an initiative aimed at nurturing breakthrough ideas that blend traditional practices with cutting-edge technologies like AI, genomics, and digital health. From over 1,000 submissions, 21 finalists were selected to participate in a year-long acceleration program, receiving scientific and regulatory guidance, and opportunities to connect with policymakers and investors.
The Delhi Declaration: A Unified Commitment
Countries demonstrated strong support through the Delhi Declaration, with commitments from 26 Member States. This collective pledge prioritizes the integration of traditional medicine into primary healthcare, enhanced regulation and safety standards, increased investment in research, and the development of interoperable data systems to monitor outcomes. This represents a fundamental shift, moving beyond mere recognition of traditional medicine to a focus on tangible results and its role in achieving universal health coverage.
WHO Director-General Highlights the Potential
“Through the Delhi Commitment, countries have agreed not only on why traditional medicine matters – but on how to act,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. He further emphasized that traditional medicine offers solutions to pressing global health challenges, including the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases, inequities in healthcare access, and the impacts of climate change, offering care that is person-centered, culturally grounded, and holistic.
Looking Ahead: Embedding TM into Global Health Systems
The WHO will collaborate with Member States to translate these commitments into reality, focusing on expanding access to trusted knowledge, accelerating innovation, and integrating TM into health systems worldwide. The Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 provides a roadmap for a future where healthcare is more inclusive, culturally sensitive, and resilient.
