WHO Selection Recognises Thailand's Traditional Medicine System
Thailand has been selected to host the third WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in 2027, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat announced. Pattana said the World Health Organization formally notified Thailand of the decision after a selection process involving other candidate countries, describing the result as recognition of Thailand's readiness and the international potential of its traditional Thai and alternative medicine systems.
The summit will serve as both an academic conference and a policy forum, bringing together health ministers, public health leaders, specialists and researchers from around the world to discuss international health policy and ways to integrate traditional medicine more effectively into national healthcare systems. WHO describes the biennial gathering as a forum focused on evidence, regulation, health-system integration, cooperation and innovation in traditional medicine. The second summit, held in New Delhi in 2025, drew representatives from more than 107 countries, including 25 health ministers.
Officials Say Hosting Could Boost Medical Tourism and Standards
Pattana said hosting the summit would give Thailand an opportunity to promote the practical inclusion of traditional medicine in mainstream health systems, while supporting government-to-government negotiations on international standards, the acceptance of herbal products and connections between healthcare-service networks. The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant agencies will work closely with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre to prepare for the event.
"Being selected as host will not only elevate Thai traditional medical knowledge on the global stage, but will also provide an important opportunity to drive the health economy and promote the sustainable growth of Thailand's medical and wellness tourism sector," Pattana said. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the 2027 summit presents an opportunity to translate commitments from previous summits into transformative action, with the event expected to review progress on time-bound commitments secured from 26 member states and roughly 60 partner organisations at the previous gathering.
