Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue
October 20-22, 2026 | Des Moines, Iowa
EXHIBITORS MEET ME AT THE DIALOGUE SIDE EVENTS SPECIAL MEETINGS
Hunger presses forward, extending its reach across global landscapes shaped by intensifying conflict, climate volatility and deepening inequality. From active war zones to fragile states destabilized by unrest, food systems are being strained at every level.
At the same time, fragmented governance and shifting public policies—often non-unifying and inconsistent across borders—undermine long-term progress and weaken coordinated responses. Trust in science and innovation wavers at the very moment when both are needed most. And yet, at no other point in history have we possessed the knowledge, tools and human capacity to nourish everyone. The paradox of the moment is unmistakable: abundance and scarcity now exist side by side. Possibility and collapse stand within reach of the same horizon.
Safe, nutritious and reliable food for all is not a given—it requires sustained commitment, adequate resources, cutting-edge innovation, resilient systems and real accountability.
The 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue convenes under the theme Before Hunger Wins, marking a decisive moment for the future of global food security.
At the Borlaug Dialogue, the most critical conversations are taking place. Leaders and innovators are charting solutions, sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of hunger fighters. It is where ideas become commitments and commitments become action.
Rooted in the legacy of Dr. Borlaug and the founding vision of the World Food Prize, the Borlaug Dialogue is not just a convening. It is a beacon, an inspiration to people who will bring arid lands to life, break cycles of hunger and poverty and beat down the barriers to our most basic need. In the words of Dr. Borlaug, “Food is the moral right of all who are born unto this world.”
This year honors the 40th anniversary of the World Food Prize. Forty years later, the work remains unfinished. The choices we make today will shape who eats, who is nourished and who thrives across the globe for generations. Before hunger wins, we must.