On June 11 and 12, 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the World Health Organization Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO GTMC) and methodological support from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS Australia), will hold the Regional Consultation on Research Prioritization in Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicines (TCIM). The event will take place in person in São Paulo, Brazil, with operational support from BIREME/PAHO/WHO.

This consultation is part of a global WHO exercise aimed at setting strategic research priorities in TCIM, with the goal of strengthening the integration of these practices into health systems and contributing positively to public health outcomes and population well-being.

Participants (by invitation)

• Researchers, academics, and specialists in TCIM.
• Representatives from indigenous organizations and traditional communities.
• Decision-makers and public health policy managers.
• Institutions interested in public health and traditional medicine.
• Healthcare providers and information professionals interested in research and evidence on TCIM.
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Agenda

Day 1: June 11

• .Institutional opening and context of WHO global initiative on TCIM research.
• .Current situation of indigenous traditional and ancestral medicine in the Americas.
• .Thematic working sessions on research priorities in specific issues, infrastructure, and evidence-based decisions.

Day 2: June 12

• .Continuation of working groups: criteria for success and emerging topics.
• .Session on conclusions, recommendations, and next steps.
• .Presentation and consultation on the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Library (WHO TMGL).
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Additional Information

• .Dates: June 11 and 12, 2025
• .Location: São Paulo, Brazil
• .Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, and English (simultaneous translation available)
• .Event by invitation only
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Context

The regional consultation is part of a series of activities aimed at building a global research agenda in TCIM that is comprehensive, inclusive and culturally relevant. This initiative is part of the WHO new Global Traditional Medicine Strategy for the period 2025 to 2034. The main objective of the Strategy is to increase access to safe practices that can contribute to the health of individuals and communities and universal access to health. The Regional Consultation is essential to ensure that future research is aligned with the needs of the Region and has a concrete impact on promoting health equity.

Event Materials 

Materials and documentation from the event will later be available for consultation on the TCIM Americas VHL Portal (link forthcoming).