© WHO
Dr Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India (centre); Dr Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee, Director General, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Kingdom of Thailand (centre right); and Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director a.i., WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (centre left).
The Third WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 10–12 November 2027, bringing together global leaders to advance evidence-based traditional medicine and its contribution to more accessible, people-centred and sustainable health systems.
The dates were confirmed on 1 September 2026 in New Delhi during a handover meeting in which India officially passed the baton to Thailand following the successful conclusion of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. Present at the meeting were Dr Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India; Dr Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee, Director General, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Kingdom of Thailand; and Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Director a.i., WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.
Thailand's selection to host the third Summit recognizes the country's leadership in traditional and complementary medicine and its commitment to advancing innovation, research and evidence-informed policy.
Held every two years, the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine brings together ministers of health, policymakers, researchers, practitioners and public health leaders to strengthen international cooperation and advance the safe, effective and evidence-based use of traditional medicine. The first Summit in 2023 helped shape the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, while the second Summit in 2025 translated that vision into action through new global commitments, partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The 2027 Summit will serve as a platform to review progress on these commitments, showcase implementation experiences from countries around the world, and highlight emerging scientific advances and digital tools, including a global traditional medicine data network. It will also explore how traditional, complementary and integrative medicine can contribute to healthier populations, stronger health systems, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
As a milestone in implementing the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the Bangkok Summit aims to help build the evidence, partnerships and momentum needed to unlock the full potential of traditional medicine in advancing universal health coverage and improving health and well-being for people everywhere.