The 16th Annual Meeting of the World Health Organization – International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO–IRCH) is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 14th to 16th October 2025. The forum assembles representatives from WHO Member States and observer organizations to advance harmonization of regulatory frameworks and bolster international cooperation for ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal medicines worldwide.
India’s Leadership and Delegation
India is participating through a high-level delegation led by Dr. Raghu Arackal, Advisor (Ayurveda), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The team also includes Dr. Raman Mohan Singh, Deputy Director General (I/c) of Ayush and Director of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), and Dr. Mahesh Dadhich, CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). Their active engagement underscores India’s leading role in advancing regulatory harmonization and integrating traditional medicine into global health governance.
MoU Between India and Indonesia
Ahead of the meeting, the Indian delegation met with H.E. Sandeep Chakravorty, Ambassador of India to Indonesia. They discussed avenues to enhance bilateral collaboration following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Traditional Medicine Quality Assurance signed between the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and PCIM&H in January 2025. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation via capacity building, exchange of technical expertise, and harmonization of quality assurance protocols. The Embassy of India in Jakarta committed to supporting effective MoU implementation.
Key Contributions and Meeting Highlights
On the opening day, Dr. Raghu Arackal presented on the state of herbal medicines in India, highlighting recent initiatives and international alliances spearheaded by the Ministry of Ayush. The meeting also marked the release of the Proceedings of the WHO–IRCH Workshop on “Safety and Regulation of Herbal Medicines” and “Efficacy and Intended Use of Herbal Medicines” held in Ghaziabad, India, in August 2025.
Global Commitment to Herbal Medicine Quality
The three-day gathering reaffirms the global commitment of WHO–IRCH member nations to ensure safe, efficacious, and high-quality use of herbal medicines. India’s proactive role continues to influence international policymaking and cooperation in the traditional medicine sector, reflecting its status as a pivotal contributor to global health frameworks.
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Source: PIB
