WHO Summit Sets Framework for Traditional Medicine Integration

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine closed with a renewed push to integrate traditional medicine into national health systems through evidence-based policy, research, and regulation. Co-hosted with the Government of India, the meeting drew over 16,000 online registrations and brought together 800 delegates from over 100 countries, including health ministers from more than 20 nations.

The summit positioned traditional medicine as a component of health system strengthening rather than a parallel practice. Discussions focused on how traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine can contribute to safer, more affordable care while supporting universal health coverage. Over 160 speakers, including scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners, addressed the role of data, regulation, and innovation in translating long-standing practices into measurable health outcomes.

A central announcement was the launch of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library, a digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources ranging from scientific literature to Indigenous knowledge. The library includes evidence gap maps and an AI-powered tool, TMGL GPT, designed to support research, policymaking, and clinical understanding by improving access to verified information.

WHO also introduced Health & Heritage Innovations, an initiative aimed at linking traditional medicine with emerging technologies such as AI, genomics, and digital health. From more than 1,000 global submissions, 21 projects were selected to enter a year-long acceleration program that will provide scientific, regulatory, and policy guidance, as well as connections to investors and public-sector decision-makers.

To support long-term governance, WHO announced the creation of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine. The 19-member expert body will advise on research priorities, standard-setting, and integration into health systems. During its first meeting at the summit, the group identified evidence generation, protection of traditional knowledge, digital innovation, and workforce capacity as immediate priorities.

Political backing for these initiatives was formalized through the Delhi Declaration, endorsed by 26 WHO member states. The commitment outlines shared objectives to integrate traditional medicine into primary healthcare, strengthen safety and regulatory frameworks, expand research investment, and develop interoperable data systems to monitor outcomes. WHO officials framed the declaration as a move from policy recognition to implementation.

Traditional medicine can help address challenges such as the rise of noncommunicable diseases, unequal access to care, and climate-related health risks, while supporting person-centered and culturally grounded models of care, says Tedros Adhanom, Director General, WHO.

WHO says it will work with member states to translate the summit’s commitments into national action, guided by the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. The strategy aims to position traditional medicine within resilient health systems through coordinated research, innovation, and governance.