Beijing traditional medicine meet: 97 countries back science-led integration

The World Conference on Traditional Medicine 2026 was held in Beijing on October 17 and 18, 2026, bringing together representatives from 97 countries and regions, according to Chinese state media. Chinese Premier Li Qiang opened the meeting on October 17 and called on countries to implement the World Health Organization's Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, to bring traditional medicine into national health systems, and to use artificial intelligence and other modern tools to test traditional remedies scientifically. The conference had eight parallel forums, on topics including evidence-based research, international standards, drug regulation and AI.

Traditional medicine systems such as traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha are used by large numbers of people around the world, often alongside modern medicine. Governments are now trying to decide how far to bring them into public health systems, and on what evidence. The WHO's strategy for 2025-2034 sets that agenda: broadly, it asks countries to build the evidence base for traditional practices, regulate products and practitioners, and integrate safe and effective practices into health services.

The Beijing conference shows China positioning itself as a leader in that effort, with a strong focus on technology. The emphasis on testing remedies scientifically is important. Belief in a remedy's tradition is not proof that it works; clinical trials and quality standards are what allow regulators and doctors to judge safety and effect. Calls to use AI to analyse traditional formulations and data are a sign of where research funding and partnerships may go.

For India, the conference is relevant because India is one of the main voices in global traditional medicine. New Delhi hosted the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in December 2025, where India's Ministry of Ayush held bilateral talks with about 16 countries, according to the ministry. The third WHO summit is due to be hosted by Thailand in November 2027. The conservation of medicinal plants is also a shared concern, since Ayurveda and Unani rely heavily on medicinal plants.

The conference's statements are policy positions, not medical findings. No new treatment was approved at the meeting, and readers should not take any traditional remedy as a substitute for medical advice.

Short-term: Outcome documents and forum results from the conference are expected to shape China's international partnerships in traditional medicine, including on medicinal plant conservation and the use of AI.

Long-term: Wider adoption of the WHO strategy could lead to more clinical research, common standards and regulation for traditional medicine products worldwide, which would affect how Ayush products are tested and traded internationally.

Who is affected: Practitioners and researchers in traditional medicine systems, including Ayush in India; health regulators; medicinal plant growers and collectors; and patients who use traditional remedies.

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