Timothy Endicott Wirth

Timothy Wirth is the Vice Chair and former President of the United Nations Foundation and the Better World Fund. Both organizations were founded in 1998 through a major financial commitment from Ted Turner to support and strengthen the work of the United Nations. As Congressman, Senator, and Under Secretary of State, Wirth played a role in the formulation and enactment of policies to address the problems posed by population growth, climate change, loss of wilderness, and resource mismanagement. In Colorado, Wirth organized the Senate Task Force on the Expansion of Major League Baseball, which became a major factor in the awarding of a new expansion franchise to Denver. He led the effort to gain extensive federal funding for the new Denver Airport, and initiated the successful water policy that obviated plans for the Two Forks Dam. As President of the UN Foundation (UNF) from its inception in early 1998 to January 2013, Wirth organized and led the formulation of the Foundation’s mission and program priorities, which include the environment, women and population, and children’s health. The Foundation also engages in extensive public advocacy, fundraising, and institutional strengthening efforts on behalf of the United Nations. By mobilizing these diverse resources, the UN Foundation works with many public and private partners and manages a variety of campaigns to help solve major problems facing the UN and the world community.