Dr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, delivering his keynote at FoodMed 2026 Conference
The FoodMed Conference returned for its second edition on 5–6 November 2026, bringing together international experts, regulators, researchers, health-care professionals, industry leaders and investors to explore how traditional knowledge and modern science can advance the growing field of Food as Medicine.
Hosted by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the conference was held under the theme "Deepening Translation and Impact", focusing on evidence generation, technology translation, regulation, innovation and sustainable pathways for improving health and well-being.
The conference examined how food, traditional medicine and public health can work together to address major global health challenges, including population ageing, chronic diseases and rising health-care costs. Discussions focused on the integration of traditional wisdom with scientific research, technological innovation and ecosystem development to accelerate the translation of evidence into practical solutions for health promotion and disease prevention.
In a video message, Dr Sylvie Briand, Chief Scientist and Assistant Director-General for Health Systems, Access and Data a.i. at the World Health Organization, emphasized the importance of prevention and health promotion in future health systems. She noted that the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 calls for the integration of safe and effective traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into health systems based on scientific evidence. She also highlighted the importance of bringing traditional knowledge and rigorous science together when exploring the links between food and health.
Representing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), Dr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, Unit Head for Traditional Medicine Research, Data, Sustainability and Innovation, delivered a keynote presentation titled Food as Medicine: Reconnecting Traditional Wisdom, Modern Science and the Future of Health. The presentation explored how evidence generation, responsible innovation, appropriate regulation and digital knowledge platforms can help translate traditional knowledge into measurable public health impact and support healthier populations.
Throughout the conference, WHO GTMC also showcased the Traditional Medicine Global Library at its exhibition booth, highlighting the Centre's efforts to improve access to scientific, technical and policy knowledge on traditional medicine and support research, policy-making and innovation worldwide.
In a separate session, Professor Amie Steel of Southern Cross University presented findings from WHO’s recently launched global research priorities initiative. The report identified key evidence gaps and called for increased investment in traditional medicine research to better meet growing health needs worldwide. It provides a strategic agenda to help governments, funding agencies and research institutions align research investments with public health priorities and strengthen the evidence base for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine.
As global interest grows in the role of food, nutrition and traditional knowledge in health promotion and disease prevention, FoodMed 2026 highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific rigor and responsible innovation in advancing Food as Medicine and contributing to healthier, more resilient health systems.