Distinguished representatives, ladies and gentlemen:
We gather today not just to discuss health – but to reconnect with the wisdom that has sustained our communities for generations.
Across centuries and civilizations, traditional medicine has been the heartbeat of healing. Rooted in community, guided by nature, and passed down through generations, it is more than a practice – it is a philosophy of care, compassion, and connection.
I remember, as a young boy growing up in Tonga, when I would come down with a cold or flu-like symptoms, my mother would gently mix traditional remedies – leaves, roots, and oils – into a warm concoction.
She would rub it on my chest, whispering words of comfort. It wasn’t just the remedy that healed- it was the love, the ritual, the belief that nature and nurture work hand in hand.
That memory lives with me. And it reminds me that traditional medicine is not a relic of the past – it is a living, breathing part of who we are.
Today we stand at a crossroads. Global health challenges are growing more complex, and our responses must be equally sophisticated.
But let us be clear: innovation does not replace tradition - it elevates it. When applied responsibly, technology can preserve the wisdom of our ancestors and amplify its relevance in modern healthcare.
In the Western Pacific Region, our vision ‘ Weaving Health for Families, Communities, and Societies’ places transformative primary health at the centre of universal health coverage, with innovation as its engine.
Integrating traditional medicine into the primary health care is not just a strategy – it’s a necessity. It brings us closer to health systems that are inclusive, resilient, and rooted in cultural identity.
And we are making progress.
We’ve begun collecting data on traditional medicine practices using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
In some countries, Electronic Health Records now support traditional medicine clinicians. Digital archives are preserving the knowledge of medicinal plants once at risk of being forgotten.
In remote areas, where clinics are hours away, digital tools are bridging the gap – bringing care to the people, not the other way around.
But let me ask you this: Can we truly innovate if we forget the soul of healing?
Innovation must be guided by purpose. As we embrace digital tools and scientific advances, we must also protect the cultural and spiritual foundations of traditional medicine.
This means building strong quality assurance systems and regulatory framework that ensures safety, effectiveness, and respect for cultural heritage.
In the Western Pacific, we are working closely with governments and the National Regulatory Authorities-to embed traditional medicine into national health systems – safely, responsibly, and respectfully.
China offers a powerful example - through modern research centers, integration into national health systems, and the use of AI and data analytics, it has shown that innovation and preservation can walk hand in hand.
Today, we are witnessing a broader shift. Technology is helping us track and understand chronic and non-communicable diseases, enabling early diagnosis and prevention.
These tools support person-centered care – care that both honors both science and tradition.
But for innovation to truly serve, the traditional medicine community must be at the table – not as guests, but as partners.
Through this panel, I hope we not only explore how to innovate - but reflect on why we must protect the heart of traditional healing.
Because when Innovation and tradition walk together, traditional medicine becomes not just relevant – but revolutionary.
I leave you with a Chinese proverb: Zhòng rén shí chái huǒ yàn gāo - ‘when everyone adds firewood, the flames rise high’.
Let us each bring our firewood – our wisdom, our innovation, our compassion – and together, let us ignite a future where health is rooted in heritage and powered by progress
Xie xie. Thank you.