Pedersen confirmed in a speech to the United Nations Security Council today, Thursday, that he informed the UN Secretary-General of his desire to step down, noting that António Guterres has accepted his request. All eyes are now on the next step regarding the appointment of Pedersen’s successor. Pedersen is a veteran Norwegian diplomat, having served in various UN and governmental positions, most recently as Norway’s ambassador to China.
Pedersen also worked as a UN special coordinator from 2007 to 2008 and as the personal envoy of the Secretary-General to South Lebanon from 2005 to 2007. He was the Director of the Asia and Pacific Division in the Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s Political Affairs Department. In 1993, Pedersen was part of the Norwegian team for the Oslo negotiations between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel.
The former UN envoy to Syria announced in October 2018 that he would be leaving. His mission included mediating for four years between the parties involved in the ongoing Syrian war, which has been lasting for seven years.
