Pedersen is currently Norway's ambassador to China and previously served as his country's U.N. ambassador. He will replace Staffan de Mistura, who announced this month that he will be leaving the post at the end of November.
Guterres says in a letter to the council obtained Tuesday night by The Associated Press that Pedersen will provide "good offices" aimed at ending the seven-year Syrian conflict and will lead U.N. efforts to facilitate "an inclusive and credible political solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people."
The secretary-general calls on the international community and the Syrian government to give Pedersen "unified and unwavering support."
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