Jan Pronk, Dutch academic and politician, Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
Johannes Pieter "Jan" Pronk Jr. (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjɑn ˈprɔnk]; born 16 March 1940) is a retired Dutch politician and diplomat of the Labour Party (PvdA) and activist.

Pronk studied Economics at the Rotterdam School of Economics obtaining a Master of Economics degree and worked as a researcher at his alma mater and the Economics Institute from July 1960 until May 1971 and was also was active as a political activist in the New Left movement. After the election of 1971 Pronk was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives on 11 May 1971 and served as a frontbencher and spokesperson for Development Cooperation. Pronk was also selected as a Member of the European Parliament on 13 March 1973 and dual served in both positions. After the election of 1972 Pronk was appointed as Minister for Development Cooperation in the Cabinet Den Uyl taking office on 11 May 1973. The Cabinet Den Uyl fell on 22 March 1977 just before the end of its term. After the election of 1977 Pronk returned as a Member of the House of Representatives serving from 8 June 1977 until his resignation on 8 September 1977 before returning on 16 January 1978 as a frontbencher and spokesperson for Development Cooperation and Agriculture and Fisheries. In July 1980 Pronk was nominated as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) taking office on 18 August 1980. After the election of 1986 Pronk returned to the House of Representatives on 3 June 1986 serving again as a frontbencher. After the election of 1989 Pronk was again appointed as Minister for Development Cooperation in the Cabinet Lubbers III taking office on 7 November 1989. After election of 1994 Pronk continued his office in the Cabinet Kok I. After election of 1998 Pronk was appointed as Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment in the Cabinet Kok II taking office on 3 August 1998. In October 2001 Pronk announced that he wouldn't stand for the election of 2002 and declined to serve in new cabinet position.

Pronk continued to be active in politics and in August 2002 was appointed as Special Envoy of the United Nations for the Earth Summit 2002 serving from 1 September 2002 until 31 December 2002, and also worked as a distinguished professor of International Development at the International Institute of Social Studies from January 2003 until July 2010. In June 2004 Pronk was nominated as the first Special Representative of the United Nations in Sudan serving 1 July 2004 until 10 December 2006.

Pronk retired from active politics at 66 and became active in the public sector as a non-profit director and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government. Following his retirement Pronk continued to be active as an advocate and activist for Human rights, the Anti-war movement, Social justice and for more European integration. De Hoop Scheffer is known for his abilities as an effective negotiator and skillful manager. Pronk is known for his abilities as a skillful negotiator and effective debater and continues to comment on political affairs as of 2022. He holds the distinction of as the second longest-serving cabinet member since 1850 with 17 years, 114 days.