The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), a pioneering digital platform designed to consolidate An The Apple Internship Programme has opened applications for its 2026 intake, offering students and recent graduates from across the world expand global access to credible information on traditional medicine.
The platform, launched on Monday at the close of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, brings together about 1.6 million resources, ranging from peer-reviewed scientific studies to documented Indigenous and traditional knowledge.
The Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the initiative marked a significant step toward strengthening evidence-based use of traditional medicine within modern health systems.
According to him, the digital library is equipped with advanced tools such as Evidence Gap Maps and an artificial intelligence-powered assistant, TMGL GPT, which are expected to accelerate research, support policy decisions and improve access to trusted information globally.
The summit, jointly organised by WHO and the Government of India, also featured the launch of Health and Heritage Innovations (H2I), an initiative aimed at supporting innovative solutions that bridge traditional medical practices with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, genomics and digital health.
Out of more than 1,000 submissions received globally, 21 finalists were selected and announced at the summit. The finalists are expected to undergo a one-year acceleration programme during which they will refine their innovations, receive scientific and regulatory guidance, and engage with policy-makers and potential investors.
WHO further announced the establishment of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM) to provide expert guidance on the implementation of its global strategy on traditional medicine.
The advisory body, made up of 19 independent experts, will focus on shaping research priorities, developing standards and advising countries on the safe and effective integration of traditional medicine into national health systems.
At its inaugural meeting held during the summit, STAG-TM identified urgent priorities, including evidence generation, preservation of traditional knowledge, digital innovation and capacity building.
The summit also witnessed strong political backing with 26 WHO Member States endorsing the Delhi Declaration, signalling renewed global commitment to advancing traditional medicine.
The declaration emphasises the integration of traditional medicine into primary health care, strengthening regulatory and safety frameworks, increased investment in research, and the development of interoperable data systems to monitor outcomes.
Dr Tedros said the commitment represented a shift from mere recognition of traditional medicine to concrete action.
“Through the Delhi Commitment, countries have agreed not only on why traditional medicine matters, but on how to act,” he said.
He added that traditional medicine could help address pressing global health challenges such as the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, inequitable access to health services and the health impacts of climate change.
“Traditional medicine can support care that is person-centred, culturally grounded and holistic,” the WHO chief said.
Looking ahead, WHO said it would continue to work with Member States to translate the commitments into action by scaling access to trusted knowledge, accelerating innovation and embedding traditional medicine into health systems worldwide.
The summit drew more than 16,000 online registrations and brought together about 800 delegates from over 100 countries, including ministers from more than 20 nations.
With contributions from 160 speakers, participants shared insights on how traditional medicine can strengthen health systems by providing safer, evidence-based and affordable care.
WHO noted that the outcomes of the summit align with the Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which aims to promote inclusive, culturally grounded and resilient health systems worldwide.