18 | Himalaya Livline | Vol 6 | No. 5 | Sep–Dec 2023 Ayurveda trends Inauguration of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s First International Conference and Expo on Traditional Medicine ICMR and Ayush Ministry Sign MoA to Promote Research in Integrated Medicine The first business-to-business (B2B) global conference and expo on traditional medicine under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was inaugurated on March 2, 2023, in Guwahati, Assam, India. Mr Sarbananda Sonowal (Union Minister of Ayush, Government of India) inaugurated the conference that was attended by more than 150 delegates from 17 countries. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr Mahendra-bhai Munjpara (Union Minister of State for Ayush andWomen and Child Development, Government of India), Dr Thet Khaing Win (Union Minister of Health, Government of Myanmar), Safiyya Mohamed Saeed (Deputy Minister of Health, Government of Maldives), and Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Goverment of India). The conference and expo provided a good opportunity for regulatory bodies, industries, and business leaders in the SCO and partner countries to work toward expanding different aspects of traditional medicine (ie, products, services, education, skill development, cosmetics, and herbal extracts) and further improving the trade among various countries, thereby, taking traditional medicine to greater heights. Additionally, sessions on Regulatory Framework for Traditional Medicine Products with detailed presentations by the SCO members of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were part of this event. Such discussions on innovation and the display of products of native importance will foster an environment for better cooperation and economic partnerships with bigger market access among the SCO countries. Source: SCO’s first international conference, expo on traditional medicine inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal. ANI. March 3, 2023. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/ scos-first-international-conference-expo-on-traditional-medicine-inaugurated-by-sarbanandasonowal20230303004848/. Accessed June 7, 2023. In order to boost India’s health care infrastructure and to integrate and bring the Ayush sector to the mainstream, the Ministry of Ayush and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on May 11, 2023. The MoA aims at collaboration and cooperation in health care research in integrated medicine. The agreement was signed by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (Secretary, Ministry of Ayush) and Dr Rajiv Bahl (Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR) in the presence of other esteemed members. The MoA envisages exploring the scope of integrative health research and strengthening research capacity. It also aims at exploring the possibilities of working on public health research, taking initiatives to identify disease conditions of national importance, and conducting high-quality clinical trials jointly to provide promising therapies, thus, generating evidence for wider acceptance of the Ayush system. Furthermore, a joint working group will be established from both parties who will meet quarterly to check for the future scope of collaboration and work on the deliverables. Both parties will also implement joint research programs as well as supervise the mentioned activities. Additionally, the parties will conduct seminars, conferences, and workshops and will seek active participation from researchers interested in integrative health care. Source: ICMR signs MoA with Ayush ministry. New Delhi Times. May 12, 2023. https://www. newdelhitimes.com/icmr-signs-moa-with-ayush-ministry/. Accessed June 6, 2023.
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