Turner Foundation delivers US$1bn to UN

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations Foundation, created by media mogul Ted Turner, has donated US$1 billion to UN projects over the past nine years, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

Turner, the founder of the CNN television network, himself donated US$1 billion ($1.53 billion) and his foundation raised millions from other corporations, governments and charities.

Some US$600 million of Turner's original US$1 billion has been spent and the remaining US$400 million would be used to leverage another US$1 billion in support of the United Nations in the coming years, the foundation said.

Projects have focused on the environment, women, children, health, peace, human rights and promoting the United Nations in the United States.

"Ted's act was perhaps most important for the message it sent to his fellow Americans, his fellow businessmen and women, and to the world," Annan said in remarks prepared for the annual UN Association-USA dinner where Turner nine years ago announced his $1 billion donation to UN causes.

"Here was an iconic businessman standing up for the United Nations, and saying to the world that the UN and its work were worthy of support," Annan said.

Former US Sen. Timothy Wirth, president of the UN Foundation, said the group had received donations from such companies and charities as the American Red Cross, Coca-Cola, Expedia, Nike, Rotary International and Vodafone.

- REUTERS