New Delhi, Dec 8 (LatestNewsX) – Union Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, told reporters on Monday that India is taking a leading role in the global drive to promote traditional medicine, even as the country readies itself to co‑host the second World Health Organization (WHO) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.
Speaking at a curtain‑raiser in the capital, Jadhav revealed the summit will run from December 17 to 19 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, under the banner “Restoring balance for people and planet: The science and practice of well‑being”.
“India is proud to co‑host the second edition of the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine following the remarkable success of the first Summit hosted by India in 2023,” the minister said.
He added that the worldwide confidence in India’s AYUSH systems is underscored by the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.
“India’s rich heritage of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa‑Rigpa, and Homoeopathy has played a pivotal role in holistic healthcare for centuries and is increasingly recognised worldwide as an effective integrative health approach,” the Minister remarked.
Jadhav stressed that traditional medicine remains a cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage, for building resilient health systems, and for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
He explained that the summit is organised in partnership with the WHO under an agreement signed in September 2025, and it aligns with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025‑2034 adopted at the 78th World Health Assembly.
With more than one hundred countries expected to attend, the gathering will cover topics ranging from scientific validation and innovation in traditional medicine to the strengthening of digital health and global data systems; it will also explore how to weave traditional practices into public health and wellness programmes, ensure equitable access, promote sustainable and responsible industry growth, safeguard biodiversity, address intellectual‑property challenges, and investigate emerging applications such as artificial intelligence.
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