AFRICA MAKES HISTORIC ENTRY INTO GLOBAL TRADITIONAL MEDICINE STANDARDISATION AS ARSO TC82 PRESENTS SUBCOMMITTEE PROPOSAL AT ISO SHANGHAI, CHINA – 26th -27th OCTOBER 2026
In a landmark development for African Traditional Medicine (ATM), Africa has made its first participation in the plenary activities of the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee on Traditional Medicine (ISO/TC 249) since the Committee’s name and scope were expanded in 2025 to accommodate a broader range of traditional medicine systems, including ATM.
The historic participation at the 16th Plenary Meeting of ISO/TC 249, held from 26th -27th October 2026 in Shanghai, China, saw the African Organisation for Standardisation Technical Committee on African Traditional Medicine (ARSO TC82) take a significant step towards securing a structured African presence in global traditional medicine standardisation through the presentation of a proposal for a dedicated African Traditional Medicine Subcommittee under ISO/TC 249.
The 3-member African delegation comprised Prof. Maurice Iwu, Chairperson of ARSO TC82 and Chairperson of Nigeria’s National Technical Committee on African Traditional Medicine; Mrs Uduak Udoso, Secretary of ARSO TC82 and Head, Healthcare Standardization Group, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON); and Prof. Isaac Kingsley Amponsah of Ghana, and expert of ARSO TC82. Mrs Udoso delivered the African presentation on behalf of Prof. Iwu.
Titled “Advancing Regional Standardisation and Global Collaboration in African Traditional Medicine,” the presentation showcased Africa’s progress in regional standardisation and made a compelling case for greater African representation in international standards development. It highlighted the importance of bringing Africa’s traditional medicine knowledge, practices and technical expertise into the global standards framework. The presentation received positive feedback from delegates.
A significant outcome of the plenary was the adoption of ISO/TC 249 Resolution 687, titled “Other Traditional Medicine Systems.” Through this resolution, the Committee agreed to further discuss the possibilities of Traditional Persian Medicine, Homeopathy and African Traditional Medicine participating in ISO/TC 249 standards work. This places African Traditional Medicine expressly within a formal Committee resolution and provides an important basis for continued engagement towards greater African participation, representing meaningful progress in advancing the continent’s aspirations.
Further strengthening the engagement, Prof. Iwu participated in the Chair’s Advisory Group (CAG) engagement on 27th October, where delegates gave assurances of support towards a positive vote on the proposed African representation within ISO/TC 249. The delegation also visited the ISO/TC 249 Secretariat and library, where Prof. Iwu expressed his intention to contribute relevant African publications, reinforcing the importance of making African research and traditional medicine knowledge more accessible within international standardisation platforms.
The African delegation further participated in activities marking the 70th Anniversary of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHUTCM) and the release ceremony for the 2026 International TCM Standards, where Prof. Iwu joined other international leaders in traditional medicine.
This achievement carries particular significance for a continent with an extensive heritage of traditional medicine knowledge and practices. Through ARSO TC82, African countries have been working towards harmonised regional standards covering terminology and documentation, cultivation and collection of raw materials, quality, safety and efficacy of traditional medicine products, medical devices, monographs and treatment procedures.
With the Standards Organisation of Nigeria hosting the ARSO TC82 Secretariat, this engagement also highlights the importance of Africa’s collective standardisation efforts and the role of regional cooperation in advancing the continent’s priorities internationally.
For Africa, this is more than a seat at an international meeting. It is the beginning of a more deliberate effort to shape the global standards agenda for traditional medicine. Having presented its proposal and secured the inclusion of African Traditional Medicine in Resolution 687 for further consideration, the task ahead is to sustain continental collaboration, strengthen technical contributions and build the support required to translate this progress into structured participation within ISO/TC 249.
Through ARSO TC82, Africa is taking steps to ensure that its traditional medicine knowledge is not only recognised as part of its heritage but also represented in the standards that will shape the future of traditional medicine globally.
