Context:

• The Third International Conference and Exhibition (IACE) 2026 was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE.

Key Points:

• Theme: Evidence-based AYUSH interventions for mind-body health
• Objective: To promote global recognition of Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional medical systems.
• Participation: More than 1,500 delegates from 30 countries and over 20,000 visitors attended.
• Organizers: Science India Forum and World Ayurveda Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Mission in the UAE.
• Highlights: 62 scientific sessions discussed AI use in AYUSH, medicinal botanicals, and integrated healthcare.
• Significance: The event aligns with the World Health Organization’s traditional medicine strategy, strengthening the role of traditional systems in global health security.
• The conference featured 62 scientific sessions, 16 plenary discussions with 60 international speakers, 10 theme-based sessions, and conferences on veterinary science and agro-ecology.
• “Wellness Beyond Walls” by Dr. Arun won Best Film and “Beyond Restless” by Dr. Neethu Nicholas won Second Best Film awards.

Important Outcomes:

• White Paper: 100 experts from 20 countries jointly released a white paper on AYUSH interventions for mental and physical health.
• Cultural & Health Bridge: AYUSH acted as a bridge to strengthen health diplomacy and trust among countries.
• Medicinal Plants & Research: Discussions focused on research quality, medicinal plants, and the use of AI.

AYUSH:

AYUSH is the collective acronym for India’s traditional systems of medicine.

• A — Ayurveda: An ancient Indian medical system based on balance of body, mind, and spirit.
• Y — Yoga: A system of physical, mental, and spiritual practices.
• U — Unani: A healing system derived from Greco-Arabic medical traditions.
• S — Siddha: A traditional medical system practiced mainly in South India.
• H — Homoeopathy: A treatment method based on the principle “like cures like.”

Ministry of AYUSH:

• Established on 9 November 2014; earlier it functioned as a department under the Health Ministry (started in 1995 as ISM&H).
• Its aim is to revive ancient Indian medical knowledge and integrate it with modern science.