The participants of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, on 17 and 18 August 2023, have published a 'Gujarat Declaration' reaffirming the global commitment to indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and TCIM (traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine). 

The declaration comes with an eight-part action agenda to ensure patient safety in the provision of TCIM products, practices, and services. It prescribes to application of science and technology to validate and unlock the contribution of TCIM to advancing planetary health and people’s health. 

The declaration advocates for increased political and financial commitments at a global level to translate the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy for the period 2025-2034 into policies and practices for people’s health and well-being.

It supports countries to redefine laws, policies, and health services to enable people to make holistic, evidence-informed choices for their health and well-being. This includes support for the recognition and appropriate regulation of TCIM products, practices, and practitioners to ensure their safety, accessibility, and efficacy. 

Ultimately, the declaration aims to fully recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous people, and incorporate ethical methods and processes in TCIM research and practice by implementing ethical frameworks that are culturally appropriate and socially relevant and inclusive.

By developing guiding principles for working with communities and indigenous health practitioners, the declaration intends to respect diversity of all kinds and commit to implementing gender equality, equity, and rights-based approaches to health, that enhance participation, build resilience, and empower communities.