India is set to host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi in December 2025, building on the inaugural summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in 2023.
Context and Objectives
- Organizers: Jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
- Theme: "Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being."
- Global Vision: The summit aims to shape the future of traditional medicine globally by promoting its integration into national health systems based on science, evidence, and responsible practice.
- Alignment with WHO Strategy: Discussions will align with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which advocates for people-centred healthcare and planetary well-being.
- Key Deliberations:
- Scientific investment and research.
- Governance and regulation frameworks.
- Protection of biodiversity and safeguarding Indigenous knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
- Ethical use of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to elevate traditional medicine.
- Global Health Diplomacy: India's leadership in hosting the summit highlights its role in promoting traditional healthcare systems (AYUSH) on a global stage.
- Public Health: Focuses on integrating traditional medicine, which is accessible and affordable, into the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- Biodiversity & IPR: The protection of medicinal resources and indigenous knowledge is an important environmental and ethical concern.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
