The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, titled 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being,' concluded on December 19, 2025, in New Delhi, India. Hosted by India and organised by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), the summit brought together over 800 delegates from more than 100 countries, including ministers from over 20 nations, with over 16,000 online registrations. In his closing remarks, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for hosting the summit and championing traditional medicine on the world stage. The summit's most significant outcomes included: (1) The adoption of the Delhi Declaration — a political commitment signed by 26 Member States pledging to integrate Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into national health systems, strengthen evidence-based regulation, and invest in research and innovation for traditional medicine. (2) The launch of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library — a first-of-its-kind digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources, from peer-reviewed research to Indigenous knowledge systems. (3) Advancing the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which focuses on evidence generation, regulatory safety, health system integration, and cross-sector value of TCIM. India's hosting of the summit was significant: India is home to ancient systems of traditional medicine — Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) — and was instrumental in establishing the WHO GTMC in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The summit underscored India's global leadership in traditional medicine policy, research, and diplomacy.
Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine Concludes in New Delhi: 26 Nations Sign Delhi Declaration, WHO Launches Traditional Medicine Global Library
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, titled 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being,' concluded on December 19, 2025, in New Delhi, India. Hosted by India and organised by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), the summit brought together over 800 delegates from more than 100 countries, including ministers from over 20 nations, with over 16,000 online registrations. In his closing remarks, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for hosting the summit and championing traditional medicine on the world stage. The summit's most significant outcomes included: (1) The adoption of the Delhi Declaration — a political commitment signed by 26 Member States pledging to integrate Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into national health systems, strengthen evidence-based regulation, and invest in research and innovation for traditional medicine. (2) The launch of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library — a first-of-its-kind digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources, from peer-reviewed research to Indigenous knowledge systems. (3) Advancing the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which focuses on evidence generation, regulatory safety, health system integration, and cross-sector value of TCIM. India's hosting of the summit was significant: India is home to ancient systems of traditional medicine — Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) — and was instrumental in establishing the WHO GTMC in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The summit underscored India's global leadership in traditional medicine policy, research, and diplomacy.
Key facts
- The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine concluded in New Delhi on December 19, 2025.
- The Delhi Declaration was signed by 26 Member States pledging to integrate traditional medicine into health systems.
- WHO launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library consolidating 1.6 million resources on a digital platform.
- Over 800 delegates from 100+ countries attended with 16,000+ online registrations.
- India's AYUSH systems were showcased as exemplars of codified traditional knowledge.
- WHO's Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) is located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 What is the full form of AYUSH? — The PYQ directly tests AYUSH terminology; this article deepens it by showing India's global leadership on AYUSH-anchored traditional medicine policy.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of India hosting the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine and analyse the key outcomes of the Delhi Declaration for global health diplomacy.
Answer (50 words):
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine concluded on December 19, 2025, in New Delhi with 26 Member States signing the Delhi Declaration to integrate TCIM into national health systems. WHO launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library consolidating 1.6 million resources, reinforcing India's leadership through AYUSH and Jamnagar's GTMC.
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Which statement is correct about the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in New Delhi in December 2025?
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held in New Delhi from 17 to 19 December 2025, jointly organized by WHO and India's Ministry of Ayush. Its theme was 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being.' WHO reported that countries rallied behind the Delhi Declaration, with commitments from 26 Member States, focusing on integration into primary health care, stronger regulation and safety standards, research, and data systems.
Source: WHO Official / UN News / India Ministry of AYUSH / The Hindu
Frequently asked questions
What was the theme and key outcome of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in New Delhi?
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was themed 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being.' It concluded on December 19, 2025, in New Delhi. The key outcomes were the signing of the Delhi Declaration by 26 Member States pledging to integrate traditional medicine into national health systems, and the launch of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library consolidating 1.6 million resources on a digital platform.
What is the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) and where is it located?
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) is a specialised centre established by the World Health Organisation to advance the evidence base, safety, and effectiveness of traditional medicine globally. It is located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India — the first WHO centre hosted on Indian soil. India's AYUSH Ministry and the Gujarat government jointly hosted it. It was established in 2022 as part of WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy.
What is the Delhi Declaration and what did the 26 signatory nations commit to?
The Delhi Declaration is a multilateral commitment signed by 26 WHO Member States at the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in December 2025. The signatory nations pledged to integrate traditional medicine into their national health systems, invest in research and evidence-based validation of traditional therapies, establish quality and safety standards, and promote equitable access to traditional medicine as part of universal health coverage.
What is AYUSH and why was India's role in this summit significant?
AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy — India's codified traditional medicine systems. India was the host nation for the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine because of its globally recognised leadership in traditional medicine, its established AYUSH ministry, and the presence of the WHO GTMC at Jamnagar. India's AYUSH systems were showcased as examples of codified, scalable traditional medical knowledge.
How does integrating traditional medicine into health systems relate to Universal Health Coverage (UHC)?
Universal Health Coverage aims to ensure all people have access to quality health services without financial hardship. Traditional medicine systems are often more affordable, locally available, and culturally accepted than allopathic medicine, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Integrating traditional medicine into health systems can expand the reach of primary healthcare, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and bridge gaps in healthcare access — all of which advance UHC goals.
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