The third international AYUSH conference and expo concluded at the Dubai World Trade Centre, attracting over 1,500 delegates and nearly 20,000 visitors from 30 countries. Over three days, participants engaged in scientific sessions, policy discussions, and cultural programmes.
The biennial event, following earlier editions in 2017 and 2024, was organised by the Science India Forum and the World Ayurveda Foundation, with support from India’s Ministry of AYUSH and Indian missions in the UAE.
Leadership Emphasises Responsible Global Expansion
The valedictory session featured Pramod Sawant and Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State for AYUSH.
Jadhav noted that participation from 30 countries reflects growing global confidence in integrative healthcare. However, he stressed that expansion must remain structured and responsible. He underscored the importance of quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, and scientific rigour. Furthermore, he called for the conference outcomes to translate into concrete action through joint research, academic exchanges, industry investment, and regulatory cooperation. He described AYUSH as a blend of India’s civilisational legacy and modern policy commitment.
Similarly, Sawant invited global institutions and investors to collaborate in building preventive, sustainable, and holistic healthcare systems. He urged stakeholders to convert the Dubai outcomes into sustainable partnerships, joint research initiatives, educational exchanges, and policy alignment.
Robust Scientific Programme and Research Participation
Conference Secretary General V L Shyam reported that more than 100 volunteers coordinated 62 scientific sessions featuring nearly 400 speakers. In addition, the programme included workshops on research writing and marma therapy. Organisers have scheduled the next edition for 2028.
As reported by News On Air, held under the theme “Evidence-based AYUSH interventions for mind body health,” the conference featured 16 plenary sessions with 60 international speakers. Experts addressed topics such as artificial intelligence in AYUSH, research quality, medicinal botanicals, and healthcare integration in the UAE.
Moreover, organisers conducted 10 discipline-specific sessions along with dedicated conclaves on veterinary care and agroecology. Of the more than 1,200 research abstracts submitted, peer reviewers selected 352 oral papers and 200 posters for presentation across 46 sessions.
White Paper on Mind–Body Health Released
An international delegate assembly comprising 100 experts from 20 countries released a white paper on AYUSH interventions for mind–body health. The document addressed mental health, metabolic disorders, women and child health, oncology, autoimmune diseases, and healthy ageing. Through this initiative, participants aimed to strengthen evidence-based integration of traditional systems into global healthcare frameworks.
Film Festival and International Collaboration
In addition to scientific deliberations, the conference hosted an AYUSH film festival featuring 15 entries. “Wellness Beyond Walls” by Dr Arun won the Best Film award, while “Beyond Restless” by Dr Neethu Nicholas secured second place.
Furthermore, the event witnessed a partnership between the UAE Sports for All Federation and the UAE Yoga Committee to promote yoga integration and collaborative research. Federation President Ahmed Ibrahim Musabi presented a memento to Jadhav, symbolising strengthened bilateral cooperation in integrative health.
Overall, the conference reinforced AYUSH’s expanding global footprint while emphasising responsible growth, scientific validation, and sustained international collaboration.