India to Unveil Pioneering Global Digital Library on Traditional Medicine at Upcoming WHO Summit

India will launch the first global digital traditional medicine library at the WHO summit, presenting 2.5 million open‑access documents. The event will host delegates from over 100 countries and highlight India’s innovations, including AI tools, digital health platforms, and botanical databases. The initiative reflects India’s push for global collaboration and leadership in traditional medicine research.

India is preparing to take a major step in global health leadership with the launch of the world’s first fully digital library dedicated to traditional medicine. The initiative, scheduled for unveiling next month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will debut at the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit.

According to Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH, the summit—set for December 17–19—has already drawn significant international interest. Delegations from more than 100 nations and over a dozen health ministers have confirmed their participation, with ministers from at least 20 countries expected to attend. Dr. Kotecha noted that this gathering is poised to become the largest global event ever focused on traditional medical systems.

The concept for the digital repository emerged from Prime Minister Modi’s remarks at the BRICS Summit earlier this year, where he emphasized the need for shared scientific resources across nations. In that address, he encouraged BRICS members to explore the creation of a collective research hub to benefit the Global South and strengthen cooperation in science and innovation.

The forthcoming library will house approximately 2.5 million documents sourced from around the world, consolidating centuries of traditional medical knowledge into a single open-access digital platform. Though developed by India, the resource will be freely available to researchers, policymakers, and the public. Dr. Kotecha described it as one of the most significant achievements to emerge from the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, inaugurated in 2022 by PM Modi and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus. The project has been shaped through strong partnerships, particularly with Brazil, as well as other contributing nations.

As host of the summit, India plans to highlight its expanding capabilities in traditional medicine research and innovation. The Ministry of AYUSH—representing Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy—is coordinating with the WHO and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the event delivers substantial scientific and diplomatic results. Exhibits will feature advancements in digital health, research platforms, international collaborations, and cutting-edge tools developed by Indian research councils. Extensive security and logistics planning is underway to support what is expected to be a landmark global health gathering.

Among the technologies to be showcased is an AI-driven assistant designed to interpret classical traditional medicine literature. Still in development, this tool aims to make ancient texts more comprehensible to modern audiences, potentially transforming public access to historical medical knowledge.

Additional digital innovations are also in the pipeline, including a global botanical database, geospatial biodiversity mapping tools, digital pharmacopoeias, enhanced quality‑control systems, and expanded research data resources. Together, these initiatives underscore India’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of global research and innovation in traditional medicine.