WHO Summit Advances Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034

The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, organized with the Government of India, is underway, bringing together over 100 countries. The Summit is expected to focus on advancing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, with an emphasis on evidence, regulation, integration, collaboration, and community engagement.

Strengthening Traditional Medicine Globally

Traditional medicine (TM) includes both codified and non-codified systems that predate modern biomedicine and continue to be used today. For many populations, TM remains the primary source of healthcare, offering accessibility, affordability, and cultural relevance. Nearly 90% of WHO Member States – 170 out of 194 – report that 40–90% of their populations utilize TM.

Did You Know? All traditional medicine formulations, and more than half of biomedical pharmaceuticals, originate from natural resources.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated that the WHO is committed to combining traditional wisdom with modern science and technology to achieve health for all. He highlighted the potential of harnessing innovation, including AI and genomics, to deliver safer and more sustainable health solutions.

Addressing Global Health Access

Integrating TM into health systems is seen as critical to expanding access to affordable, people-centered healthcare and advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Currently, 4.6 billion people – nearly half the global population – lack access to essential health services, and over 2 billion experience financial hardship accessing care. Emerging evidence suggests that integrating TM can lead to cost efficiencies and improved health outcomes, potentially contributing to more appropriate antibiotic use.

Expert Insight: The WHO’s focus on integrating traditional medicine into existing health systems represents a significant shift towards a more holistic and accessible approach to global healthcare, particularly for populations facing financial or logistical barriers to conventional medical care.

Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO Chief Scientist, emphasized the need for rigorous scientific assessment of both biomedicine and traditional medicines, while respecting biodiversity, cultural specificities, and ethical principles. She noted that collaborations and technologies like AI, genomics, and data analytics can transform the study and application of traditional medicine.

Innovation, Investment, and Sustainability

TM supports growing global industries, particularly herbal medicines. Indigenous Peoples, who represent just 6% of the global population, safeguard around 40% of the world’s biodiversity. Advancing TM requires addressing Indigenous rights, fair trade, and benefit-sharing considerations.

Despite its widespread use, less than 1% of global health research funding is dedicated to TM. To address this gap, the WHO is launching the Traditional Medicine Global Library, featuring over 1.6 million scientific records. This library, developed in response to calls from G20 and BRICS meetings in 2023, will provide equitable online access to peer-reviewed content for institutions in lower-income countries through the Research4Life initiative.

Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director a.i. Of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre, stated that advancing traditional medicine is an evidence-based, ethical, and environmental imperative. The Summit aims to foster the collaborations needed for TM to contribute to the well-being of people and the planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is traditional medicine?

Traditional medicine encompasses codified and non-codified systems that predate biomedicine and have continued to evolve for contemporary use.

How many people worldwide use traditional medicine?

Nearly 90% of WHO Member States (170 out of 194) report that 40–90% of their populations use traditional medicine.

What is the purpose of the WHO’s Global Summit on Traditional Medicine?

The Summit aims to advance the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, centered on stronger evidence, better regulation, systems integration, collaboration and community engagement.

As the WHO and its partners explore the potential of traditional medicine, what role do you believe cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations should play in its integration into modern healthcare systems?