The World Health Organisation (WHO) says new scientific tools have created an unprecedented opportunity to rigorously evaluate and safely integrate traditional medicine into modern health systems.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday from Geneva, WHO experts noted that traditional medicine has become a “global reality,” with many member states relying on it as a first or preferred form of care. The briefing comes ahead of the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled for December 17–19 in New Delhi, India. The summit will convene policymakers, researchers, practitioners and indigenous leaders from more than 100 countries to advance the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, adopted in May at the World Health Assembly.

Shyama Kuruvilla, acting director of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre, said the world has reached a critical turning point because “traditional medicine is often the closest or only care available for many people.” She added that demand continues to rise due to chronic diseases, mental health needs and growing interest in holistic, personalised care.

“This is really a pivotal moment to unite the wisdom and systems of millennia for healing with the power of modern science and technology to advance health for all,” she said.

Kuruvilla stressed that WHO’s role is to help countries ensure traditional medicine is “safe, evidence-informed, and equitably integrated” into national health systems. She highlighted a major research gap, noting that less than one percent of global health research funding is dedicated to traditional medicine despite its widespread use. The summit aims to close that gap.

Several major initiatives will be unveiled at the summit, including a global traditional medicine library containing more than 1.6 million scientific records, a global research priority roadmap, and a traditional medicine data network aligned with the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases.

WHO Chief Scientist Sylvie Briand said scientific advances are helping overcome long-standing challenges in evaluating traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM), which includes diverse and highly personalised practices.

“Artificial intelligence, for instance, can screen millions of compounds, helping us understand the complex structure of herbal products and extract relevant constituents to maximise benefit and minimise adverse effects,” she said.

Briand noted that WHO has developed a global research agenda to guide priority-setting and ethical standards, stressing that investment must increase to address chronic diseases and persistent inequities in access to care.

“Together, let us embrace innovation while respecting tradition, ensuring that every approach we use is safe, effective, and accessible for all,” she added.