The Third BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights concluded in Goa, bringing together member states to discuss protecting and regulating traditional medicine systems across the region.

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• The Third BIMSTEC Conference on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights was held in Goa from 16 to 17 September 2026.
• The conference was organised by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, with the All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa, serving as the nodal institute.
• It was held alongside the Second Meeting of the BIMSTEC Nodal Group on Traditional Medicine Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Intellectual Property Rights.
• BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, comprises seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
• Experts, officials and representatives from all BIMSTEC member countries participated, with discussions covering research, education, standardisation, pharmacopoeial development and regulatory cooperation.
• Monalisa Das, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Ayush, chaired the inaugural session and highlighted the role of the BIMSTEC Task Force for Traditional Medicine in expanding regional cooperation.
• Technical sessions addressed the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, intellectual property protection, genetic resources, and cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization and World Health Organization.
• India had earlier developed and shared a BIMSTEC Traditional Medicine Portal with the BIMSTEC Secretariat to let member states share standardised information on their traditional medicine systems.
• Officials underscored the need to conserve traditional knowledge, protect community rights and promote equitable benefit-sharing to prevent biopiracy of traditional medicine resources.
• A BIMSTEC representative said the ultimate objective of the cooperation is to improve public well-being, strengthen health systems and preserve traditional medicine heritage for future generations.
• The conference builds on institutional cooperation dating back to India’s earlier initiative of developing the BIMSTEC TM Portal, shared with the Secretariat through the Ministry of External Affairs in January 2025.