The Sixth Meeting of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM) took place on May 9, 2025, at the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva, bringing together representatives from numerous countries united by a shared vision: to recognize and strengthen the role of traditional medicine in today’s global health systems. As the world seeks more inclusive and preventive approaches to healthcare, this meeting served as a heartening reminder of the value and wisdom embedded in traditional healing practices.
Addressing the gathering virtually, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, reiterated India’s strong commitment to promoting traditional medicine that is grounded in evidence and aligned with modern scientific standards. His remarks reflected India’s leadership in global health discourse, emphasizing how traditional medicine contributes not just to personal well-being, but also to broader goals like universal health coverage, One Health, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
India’s efforts, as outlined by the Secretary, include wide-ranging initiatives like the National AYUSH Mission, the establishment of Ayush Arogya Mandirs that integrate traditional care into primary health systems, and expanding insurance coverage for traditional treatments. The country is also advancing collaborative research with leading scientific bodies such as DBT, DST, ICMR, and CSIR, showing a determined focus on ensuring traditional medicine continues to evolve with scientific rigour.
Emerging areas like artificial intelligence, genomics, and bioinformatics are now being explored in the context of traditional medicine, reflecting a thoughtful blending of ancient knowledge with frontier technologies. The recent global technical meeting on AI in traditional medicine hosted by India is one such example of how the country is safeguarding traditional knowledge while modernizing its application.
Created by India in 2023, the GFTM has become a trusted and informal platform where WHO member states can come together to support and discuss the integration of traditional medicine into public health systems. This collaboration is a testament to the belief that wellness and healing should be inclusive, culturally respectful, and backed by research.
India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, which hosted the meeting, also reaffirmed its commitment to furthering international cooperation in traditional and integrative healthcare. This commitment aligns closely with WHO guidelines and reflects a broader, compassionate vision of health that honors both tradition and innovation.
Looking ahead, the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine will be hosting a high-level side event during the 78th World Health Assembly on May 23, 2025. The event, titled “Traditional Medicine: From Traditional Heritage to Frontier Science, for Health for All,” is expected to spotlight the rising global consensus on integrating traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine into mainstream health systems.
As the world faces complex health challenges, the message from Geneva was clear and deeply human: traditional medicine, with its roots in nature and its evolving alliance with science, has a vital role to play in creating a healthier, more balanced future for all.