Traditional Medicine at the Nexus of Climate, Biodiversity, and Land Restoration (Rio Conventions)
As the world faces the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, this side event explores how Traditional and Indigenous Medicine systems are essential to resilient health systems, ecosystem stewardship, and sustainable development.
Organised by Govardhan App & GITMA, this gathering brings together global health leaders, WHO experts, youth voices, Indigenous knowledge advocates, and environmental stakeholders to discuss how Traditional Medicine can meaningfully contribute to the implementation of the Rio Conventions — including the UNFCCC, CBD, and UNCCD.
The session will highlight:
The relationship between medicinal biodiversity and planetary health
Climate impacts on traditional healing systems and medicinal plants
Indigenous knowledge as a driver of adaptation, restoration, and resilience
One Health and Planetary Health approaches connecting ecosystems and human wellbeing
Policy pathways for integrating Traditional Medicine into global climate, biodiversity, and land restoration frameworks
The discussion aims to strengthen cross-sector collaboration between health, environment, youth, Indigenous communities, researchers, and policymakers while advocating for rights-based safeguarding of traditional knowledge systems and equitable participation in global governance.
Speakers
Mr. Gokul Rajendran — Founder, Govardhan & GITMA
Mr. Domenico — Founder, International One Health Conference
Dr. Naeema Al Qasseer — Global Health & Development Expert & Former WHO Senior Official
Cristina Romanelli — Programme Officer, Biodiversity, Climate Change & Health, WHO
Thomas Egli — Founder, Geneva Forum
Virtual Speaker
Dr. Mona El-Sherbini — Associate Professor of Infectious Parasitic Disease, Cairo University, Egypt
📍 Venue: Health Diplomacy House, Rue Rothschild 28
🗓 Date: 21 May
🕘 Time: 09:00 – 10:00 AM
In Person Registration: https://share.hsforms.com/1z1J5tzkeQ3KBZpuQELu4xQtgwmv
Hosted in collaboration with WHO GTMC, WHO Biodiversity, One Health Conference, MRN, Geneva Forum,
Anchoring Partner : UNU CRIS, Global Youth Coalition, GEYO Indonesia, and the Center for Planetary Health and Environmental Justice | University of Minnesota.