The third BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights began in Goa on Wednesday, bringing together experts, officials and representatives from member states.
The Ministry of Ayush is organising the two-day conference, with the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, serving as the nodal institute. The event is being held alongside the second meeting of the BIMSTEC Nodal Group on the same subjects.
Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush and Chairperson of the inaugural session, highlighted the role of the BIMSTEC Task Force for Traditional Medicine.
She said the Working Group could accelerate collaboration in research, education, capacity building, standardisation, pharmacopoeial development, regulatory cooperation and knowledge exchange.
She also referred to the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok in April 2025.
Prof Vaidya PK Prajapati, Director of AIIA, said the BIMSTEC region possesses diverse traditional medicine systems, biological resources and community knowledge.
He said the conference seeks to establish a cooperative framework that protects traditional knowledge while supporting responsible research and innovation.
Kadirkamu Kandasamy Yoganaadan, BIMSTEC Director for Science, Technology & Innovation and Health and Human Resource Development, said regional cooperation ultimately aims to improve public well-being, strengthen health systems and preserve traditional medicine heritage.
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Technical discussions examined traditional knowledge documentation, intellectual property rights, genetic resources, access and benefit-sharing, community rights and prior informed consent. Sessions also addressed initiatives involving WIPO and WHO.
Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand presented their national policies, legal frameworks and experiences.
Delegates also discussed the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, including controlled-access documentation and prior-art protection, alongside artificial intelligence, ethical considerations and knowledge documentation.
The second BIMSTEC Nodal Group meeting will also consider regional cooperation, capacity building, expert networks, documentation standards and data management.
Prof Dr Sujata Kadam, Dean of AIIA Goa, thanked participating delegates, experts and institutions for their contributions. The conference will conclude on 17 September 2026.
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