New Delhi: India will co-host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in the national capital from December 17 to 19, 2025, in collaboration with the World Health Organization. The high-level global event will bring together policymakers, researchers, scientists, and traditional medicine experts from across the world to deliberate on innovation, evidence-based practices, and future strategies for integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare systems.
The summit is being organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Ayush, which hosted a Curtain Raiser Programme on December 8, 2025. The programme was chaired by Prataprao Jadhav, who highlighted India’s expanding global leadership in the field of traditional medicine.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister emphasized the strengthening role of national research institutions in enhancing the scientific credibility, innovation, and international collaboration in traditional healthcare systems. He noted that India is emerging as a key global hub for evidence-based traditional medicine.
In the National Capital Region, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences’s Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Delhi, continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Ayurvedic research and clinical applications. Dr Hemanta Panigrahi, Director In-Charge of the institute, said that CARI’s integrated research model—covering clinical, fundamental, and policy research—has significantly strengthened its ability to address major lifestyle and non-communicable diseases.
He added that the institute’s specialty clinics, ongoing research studies, and professional training programmes are closely aligned with national priorities for evidence-driven traditional healthcare, reinforcing India’s capacity in this sector.
The upcoming WHO Global Summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, scientific panels, exhibitions, and international knowledge-sharing sessions, aimed at promoting the integration of traditional medicine into public health systems worldwide. The event is expected to further strengthen global cooperation and position India as a leading voice in shaping the future of traditional medicine on the world stage.