During the G20 health working group meetings in Brazil in June 2024, the governments of Brazil, India, South Africa (the ‘Troika’ of G20 presidencies), China, Indonesia and the United States with WHO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),organized an event on traditional medicine. The event highlighted country achievements and strategic and scientific advances to optimize the contribution of traditional medicines to universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event was opened by Special Secretary of Indigenous Health and Vice Minister in Brazil, followed by keynote speeches from India and South Africa. India highlighted its AYUSH strategy on research and development, the global capacity building enabled by issuing specific Ayush visas and providing scholarships to international students, and the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) - the full database of patent information of Indian traditional medicines. South Africa spoke to the impact of the Traditional Health Traditional Health Practitioners Act Act in 2007 in establishing a traditional health practitioners council, building capacity, and the development of a regulatory framework to ensure the efficacy, safety and quality of traditional health care services. They involved traditional healers in official healthcare services.
Brazil, as current president of the G20, has been integral to keeping traditional medicines on the global political agenda. Speakers from China and Indonesia highlighted the success in integrating traditional medicine into the national health systems and preserving local and indigenous knowledge. Also featured at the event was the US Veteran Affairs, who highlighted the benefits of a holistic approach to the health and care of veterans.
A key milestone that was celebrated at the side-event was the signing of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in May 2024. The landmark treaty is aimed at bridging intellectual property with genetic resources and traditional knowledge by introducing specific provisions for Indigenous Peoples for patent applicants.
Under the treaty, new patent applicants will be obliged under international law to identify and attribute the origin of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge used in the development of patents. Genetic resources are contained in medicinal plants, agricultural crops or animal breeds that have been cultivated and conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. These resources and associated traditional knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, are sometimes used in scientific research and health practices around the world, often without recognition of the context and knowledge which it came from, nor fair and equitable access and benefit sharing.
Protecting traditional knowledge is a global priority. Indigenous People are custodians for much of the world’s remaining biodiversity which will be invaluable to our efforts to address climate change and achieve high-quality, accessible health for all. The plants, crops and practices safeguarded by Indigenous Peoples are vital to sustain the health and wellbeing of the people and planet.
The treaty is the culmination of 25 years of negotiations at the WIPO and will have a transformative impact for Indigenous Peoples in ensuring a more equitable sharing of benefits associated with traditional knowledge and practices.
The newly approved Treaty will enhance WHO’s ongoing research and investment in innovation to support Traditional Medicine, including WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre’s (WHO GTMC) work to develop a global library of traditional medicine. The library which will categorize, index, and store traditional medicinal knowledge in a searchable format, is being developed in collaboration with WHO, its regional office, PAHO’S Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME), and WIPO. Set to launch later in 2024, the library and its supporting IP Framework will contribute to efforts to safeguard against patent misappropriation through the collection and storage of traditional medicine practices.
The treaty marks an important milestone in the ongoing collaboration between WHO, WHO Member States and WIPO. The collaboration is aimed at preserving cultural heritage and biodiversity and integrating traditional wisdom into global health and well-being, ensuring a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future.
WHO will continue to work with global partners to facilitate knowledge sharing and research and encourage the integration of traditional medicine into national health systems.
Notes to Editors
The signing of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge took place at the Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. The conference concluded on 24 May. More information about the treaty can be found here.
