The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday unveiled the Traditional Medicine (TM) Global Library, a pioneering digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources on traditional medicine, from scientific studies to Indigenous knowledge.
Equipped with advanced tools, including Evidence Gap Maps and the AI-powered assistant TMGL GPT, the platform aims to revolutionise access to verified information and accelerate research across the globe.
The launch coincided with the conclusion of the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, jointly organised with the Government of India in New Delhi, which attracted over 16,000 online participants and 800 delegates from more than 100 countries.
Innovation was at the heart of the Summit, highlighted by the introduction of Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I). The initiative seeks to foster breakthrough ideas that merge traditional practices with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, genomics, and digital health. From more than 1,000 submissions, 21 finalists were selected to join a year-long acceleration programme, where they will refine prototypes, receive scientific and regulatory guidance, and connect with policymakers and investors.
In a bid to strengthen global oversight, WHO also announced the establishment of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM). Comprising 19 independent experts, the advisory body will shape research priorities, develop standards, and advise on the integration of traditional medicine into national health systems. At its inaugural meeting, the group identified urgent priorities: evidence generation, preservation of traditional knowledge, digital innovation, and capacity building.
The Summit also witnessed the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, endorsed by 26 Member States, signalling a new era for traditional medicine. The Declaration pledges to integrate traditional medicine into primary health care, strengthen regulation and safety standards, invest in research, and build interoperable data systems to monitor outcomes.
“Through the Delhi Commitment, countries have agreed not only on why traditional medicine matters, but on how to act,” said Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Traditional medicine can help address many threats to health in our modern world: the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, inequitable access to health services, and climate change. It can also support care that is person-centred, culturally grounded, and holistic.”
Looking ahead, WHO plans to collaborate with Member States to scale access to trusted knowledge, accelerate innovation, and embed traditional medicine into health systems worldwide. The Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 charts a course for a more inclusive, culturally grounded, and resilient approach to care.
With over 160 speakers sharing insights on safer, evidence-based, and affordable health solutions, the Summit reinforced the vital role of traditional medicine in strengthening health systems globally.
