The Ministry of Ayush today organized a Curtain Raiser Press Conference at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, ahead of the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, to be held from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, expressed great pride that India will host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, following the successful first edition held in Gujarat in 2023. He stated that this Summit stands as another important milestone in the collective global effort to mainstream traditional medicine for the health, happiness, and well-being of humanity, in alignment with India’s vision of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah.”

Shri Jadhav informed that this year’s Summit carries the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.” The event will bring together Ministers, policymakers, global health leaders, researchers, experts, industry representatives, and practitioners from across the world. He also shared that participation is expected from over 100 countries.

The Minister announced that the Ministry of Ayush will host a dedicated side event on Ashwagandha, one of India’s most renowned and scientifically studied medicinal plants, highlighting its importance in traditional and contemporary health practices.

Emphasizing India’s global leadership in Traditional Medicine, the Minister said that Ayush systems—Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy—have served people for centuries and are today recognized worldwide as trusted solutions for holistic health. He added that the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in partnership with India, reflects the growing global confidence in India’s traditional knowledge systems.

Shri Jadhav commended the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization in planning the upcoming Summit and acknowledged the essential role of the media in enhancing awareness and strengthening public trust in traditional medicine.

The Minister shared that the Prime Minister of India is expected to grace the closing ceremony of the Summit. He expressed confidence that the deliberations and collaborations emerging from the Summit will guide the world towards a more holistic, inclusive, and sustainable future of healthcare.

Dr. Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director Emeritus of the WHO South-East Asia Region and Senior Advisor on Traditional Medicine to the WHO Director-General, emphasized that the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine marks a milestone in advancing global health cooperation. She noted that with participation from over 100 countries, the Summit will shape a decade-long roadmap for evidence-based, equitable, and sustainable integration of traditional, complementary, integrative, and Indigenous medicines into national health systems.
Highlighting the global reliance on traditional medicine, she stressed the urgent need to bridge evidence gaps through research, innovation, and regulatory strengthening.

As part of the Summit deliberations, a focused side event titled “Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact – Perspectives from Leading Global Experts” will be held on 17–19 December 2025. Organized by WHO-GTMC in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, the session will bring together leading researchers, policymakers, and clinicians to deepen scientific understanding of Ashwagandha. Discussions will highlight contemporary evidence on its adaptogenic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties, combined with insights from traditional knowledge. With an emphasis on safety assessments, the session aims to further advance global acceptance of high-quality, evidence-based Ashwagandha products.

Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha; Shri Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau; Ms Alarmelmangai D, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Ms. Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; and Shri Satyajit Paul, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush were present on the dais with the Minister. The event was also attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Ayush, and members of the media.

The Curtain Raiser event follows the Ambassadors’ Reception held on 9–10 November 2025, where diplomats were apprised of India–WHO collaboration and the global significance of the Summit.

With today’s event, India officially commences the countdown to the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, reaffirming its commitment to advancing holistic, integrative, and sustainable healthcare globally.

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