The Third BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights commenced today in Goa. The conference is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, with the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa, serving as the nodal institute.
The two-day conference is being held alongside the Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Nodal Group on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights. Experts, officials and representatives from BIMSTEC member countries are participating in the conference.
Ms. Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Chairperson of the Inaugural Session, highlighted the important role of the BIMSTEC Task Force for Traditional Medicine (BTFTM). She said that the Working Group can accelerate cooperation in research, education, capacity building, standardisation, pharmacopoeial development, regulatory cooperation and exchange of knowledge. She also referred to the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Traditional Medicine, which was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok in April 2025.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Vaidya P.K. Prajapati, Director, All India Institute of Ayurveda, said that the BIMSTEC region is home to a rich and diverse heritage of traditional medicine systems, biological resources and community knowledge. He said that the conference aims to develop a collaborative framework that promotes the conservation of traditional knowledge while encouraging legitimate research and innovation, and safeguards the interests of communities through prior informed consent, mutually agreed terms and equitable benefit-sharing.
Mr. Kadirkamu Kandasamy Yoganaadan, Director – Science, Technology & Innovation and Health and Human Resource Development Division, BIMSTEC, said that the ultimate objective of regional cooperation is to improve the well-being of people, strengthen health systems and preserve the rich heritage of traditional medicine for future generations.
The technical sessions of the conference covered key issues including documentation of traditional knowledge, intellectual property rights, genetic resources, access and benefit-sharing, prior informed consent, community rights, as well as initiatives related to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Representatives from BIMSTEC member countries — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — shared their respective national policies, legal frameworks and experiences.
The conference also discussed the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), including controlled-access documentation, prior-art protection and the potential regional relevance of its experience.
Discussions are also focusing on artificial intelligence, documentation of traditional knowledge, intellectual property and ethical considerations.
The Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Nodal Group will deliberate on regional cooperation, capacity building, expert networks, documentation standards, data management and potential mechanisms for collaboration. Key recommendations based on the deliberations of the conference will also be drafted to strengthen cooperation for the conservation and responsible use of traditional medicine knowledge across the BIMSTEC region.
Prof. Dr. Sujata Kadam, Dean, All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa, said that every BIMSTEC member country possesses a rich heritage of traditional knowledge developed over generations. She expressed her gratitude to all the participating delegates, experts and institutions for their contribution to the conference.
The conference will conclude on 17 September 2026.