The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Mission to ASEAN, organized a conference on traditional medicines between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) at New Delhi. The Conference, which took place after nearly a decade, pledged to strengthen sustainable and resilient healthcare systems in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage.

The Conference had the distinguished presence of Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and MoS for Ayush and WCD, Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai, as the Guests of Honour. Additionally, Secretary Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, along with other dignitaries and representatives from ASEAN countries, graced the occasion.

A total of 75 delegates from India and ASEAN, including two ASEAN countries participating through virtual mode, actively took part in this prestigious conference.

In his presidential address, Sonowal stated that the Conference on Traditional Medicine between India and ASEAN countries offers a platform to deliberate on various dimensions of Traditional systems of Medicine for attaining Sustainable Development Goals and strategizing on modalities for advancing Traditional Medicine Systems.

The Minister also informed -

“Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at the 12th ASEAN India Summit at Myanmar in November 2014 enunciated ‘Act East Policy’, giving a new momentum to the strategic partnership. The Act-East Policy emphasises Connectivity, Commerce and Culture.”

The Conference received a video message from Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, who actively joined the event. In his message, he echoed the sentiments of shared cultural and traditional medicinal practices between India and ASEAN. The Secretary-General highlighted three key points that reflect the synergy between ASEAN and India, encompassing various aspects, including cooperation on public health through Traditional and Complementary Medicines.

During this occasion, Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai emphasized the shared roots of Traditional Medicines between India and ASEAN, stating -

“India and ASEAN have rich traditional healing systems that share similarities in terms of herbal remedies, holistic approaches, and cultural practices like Ayurveda or are based on Ayurveda.”

In his opening remarks, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, set the tone for the conference by saying, This conference marks an important milestone in fostering collaboration and exchange of knowledge between our Nations. We will engage in thought-provoking discussions, interactive sessions, and scientific presentations that will foster a spirit of collaboration and innovation.”

The Conference featured sessions where experts of traditional medicine from India and ASEAN actively shared their research and other initiatives taken to protect people from COVID. The second session focused on actively sharing knowledge about regulatory frameworks, quality control measures, and the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems.