World Food Prize week underway in Des Moines; key award handed out Thursday
The World Food Prize week in Des Moines gathers international leaders to address global food security issues and honors former chairman John Ruan III with a new statue.
The World Food Prize week in Des Moines gathers international leaders to address global food security issues and honors former chairman John Ruan III with a new statue.
The World Food Prize week in Des Moines gathers international leaders to address global food security issues and honors former chairman John Ruan III with a new statue.
The World Food Prize has kicked off its weeklong initiative in Des Moines, gathering international leaders, experts and scientists to discuss critical issues facing global food security.
The 2025 Norman Borlaug International Dialogue features dozens of speakers, including the president of Ghana and government officials from Liberia and Sierra Leone. This year's theme is "SOILutions for Security." It's meant to highlight how different industries can work together to address challenges from the ground up.
On Thursday, the World Food Prize will also present its Laureate Award which often draws more than 800 people from more than 75 different countries.
Outside the World Food Prize Hall, a new statue has been unveiled in honor of former chairman John Ruan III. He joined the foundation in 2000 and stayed until his passing in 2021.
“John Ruan III’s vision and leadership helped shape the very identity of the World Food Prize Foundation,” said former Iowa governor and current chief executive officer for the World Food Prize Foundation, Tom Vilsack. “This statue stands as a lasting tribute to a man who believed deeply in the power of bringing people together to confront the world’s greatest challenges, and because of that belief, his impact will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Under Ruan's leadership, the World Food Prize expanded from a one-day event to a weeklong series. The agenda is posted
