Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan departed for Des Moines, Iowa, USA, to participate in the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, organized by the World Food Prize Foundation. Known as the “Borlaug Dialogue,” this annual forum brings together global leaders, policy experts, and stakeholders in agriculture, economic policy, and nutrition to address challenges in food security, including those intensified by climate change.
President Samia is one of four African heads of state invited to the 2024 event, themed “Seeds of Opportunity: Bridging Generations and Cultivating Diplomacy,” which underscores the importance of intergenerational collaboration, innovation, and agricultural technology in tackling modern food availability issues. Alongside her peers from Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Nigeria, she will explore sustainable solutions that unite past wisdom with contemporary innovations.
During the forum, President Samia will also attend the World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony, which annually celebrates individuals whose contributions have advanced food quality and availability worldwide. Established in 1986 by Dr. Norman Borlaug, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1970 for his impact on global food supply, the World Food Prize recognizes those who have made significant strides in enhancing human development through agricultural improvements.
In addition to her dialogue engagements, President Samia is scheduled to meet with US government and private sector officials, focusing on agricultural investment and enhancing value addition across Tanzania’s food chain—a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction.
This year’s forum aligns diverse stakeholders, from rural farmers to corporate executives and youth leaders to seasoned policymakers, in fostering collaborative innovation. Since its inception, the World Food Prize has honored laureates worldwide, including from Ethiopia, Brazil, Ghana, and Mexico, for their commitment to advancing global food security.