Your Excellency Prime Minister Modi,

Distinguished leaders, Ministers, colleagues, and friends,

Namaste.

I express my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of India – and especially to Prime Minister Modi – for hosting this summit and for your steadfast leadership and collaboration.

Prime Minister, your concept of “One Earth, One Health” beautifully captures the essence of traditional medicine:

The harmony between humanity and nature,

The focus on prevention rather than treatment,

And the belief that health is a collective responsibility.

This vision closely reflects the WHO’s efforts to promote fairness, sustainability, and resilience in global health.

Under your guidance, India has played a key role in highlighting the value of traditional medicine on the global stage, giving it the recognition it truly deserves.

From founding the Ministry of Ayush to establishing the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, India has demonstrated that tradition and modern science can progress hand in hand.

Through its deeply rooted Ayush systems, India has proven that centuries-old practices and current scientific advancements can coexist and strengthen each other.

Over the past three days, representatives from over a hundred countries – including scientists, health practitioners, government officials, Indigenous leaders, and community members – have come together.

You bring diverse practices and backgrounds, yet you share one goal: blending ancient traditions with modern science for the benefit of all.

This summit reaffirms that traditional medicine is not a thing of the past nor a fringe alternative.

It is a dynamic practice, a cultural treasure, and a key component of universal health care, strong health systems, and sustainable progress.

Traditional medicine offers solutions to many modern health challenges: rising noncommunicable diseases, unequal access to care, and climate-related threats.

It supports person-centered, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive care.

The Delhi Commitment shows a unified agreement not only on the importance of traditional medicine, but also on concrete actions to follow.

We have committed to strengthen the body of evidence through high-quality, ethical research that honors diverse systems and Indigenous knowledge.

We have pledged to promote safety, quality, and trust through clear, risk-based regulations.

We agreed to protect biodiversity and preserve traditional knowledge, while ensuring respect for cultural traditions, intellectual property, and fair benefit-sharing.

We support the responsible use of digital tools and innovation to enhance access, research, and data collection.

And we aim to responsibly incorporate safe and proven traditional practices within national health systems, particularly at the primary care level.

These goals drive the WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy for 2025 to 2034 – a plan rooted in science, guided by ethics, and committed to equity and international cooperation.

Today, we also celebrated an important milestone with the launch of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Library.

This library is more than just a collection of information.

It is a symbol of trust and collaboration.

It will help protect intellectual property and uphold community rights.

It will support fair access and equitable sharing of benefits.

And it will provide reliable data to inform policies, education, and innovation across generations and around the world.

This aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s call for international stewardship of traditional knowledge – a call that resonates across global platforms like the G20 and BRICS.

Prime Minister, Excellencies,

What truly matters is not just what we’ve agreed upon here in New Delhi, but how we implement these promises in our nations and communities.

That includes turning commitments into practical policies and regulatory practices;

Investing in studies, education, and workforce development;

Adopting safe, evidence-based traditional medicine into our health systems;

And delivering real, fair benefits to people – particularly those who have been underserved.

I was heartened by the insights shared by health ministers and delegation leaders during the Ministerial Roundtable.

The WHO is fully dedicated to working alongside you – through our Traditional Medicine Centre, technical support, shared guidelines, and transparent accountability systems.

Your voices at the Roundtable sent a clear message today.

As this summit concludes, let us move forward united in purpose:

Believing that the future of global health must blend traditional and modern knowledge, be inclusive, and grounded in evidence.

Understanding that science and tradition can support each other.

And recognizing that restoring balance among people, nature, and communities will help us build healthier societies for generations to come.

Prime Minister Modi, your leadership has helped bring this vision into the global spotlight.

Your Excellency, I look forward to your direction as we turn commitments into concrete actions.

Thank you for your guidance,

Thank you for your collaboration,

And thank you for shaping a healthier future – together.

Thank you very much. Bahut bahut dhanyawad.