Tanzania will host the first International Symposium on Artemisia on Oct. 8, 2025, in Arusha, bringing together global experts and policymakers to explore the plant’s health benefits and environmental applications.
Mr. Arnaud Nouvion, the symposium co-convener, told journalists on Friday via webinar that the gathering will serve as a platform to highlight Artemisia’s medicinal, agricultural, and ecological value—particularly its role in malaria control, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
He said participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas are expected to present research findings, share best practices, and discuss policy options for integrating Artemisia into global health strategies and environmental programmes.
According to him, the event will also provide opportunities for collaboration between governments, academia, and traditional medicine practitioners in advancing evidence-based applications of the plant.
Nouvion added that the symposium marks a significant step in positioning Africa as a hub for scientific and policy innovation on Artemisia and its broader contribution to sustainable development.
The event will be co-hosted by the Aga Khan Foundation, the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), Aga Khan University’s Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (AKU-ACER), and Maison de l’Artemisia.
It will showcase the latest research and discoveries on the plant, including discussions on its role in malaria prevention and treatment, tuberculosis and schistosomiasis control, reducing antibiotic use in animal health, and its applications as a natural biopesticide in agriculture.
Artemisia is a medicinal plant best known for producing artemisinin, the compound used in modern malaria drugs. Beyond malaria, researchers are exploring its wider potential in treating tuberculosis, reducing antibiotic dependence in livestock, and boosting sustainable farming practices.
