The ILN is seen as central to the success of Cap2015 to meet the demand for information and skills enhancement required by countries in Asia during the planning and implementation of strategies and policies for MDGs. The ILN will seek to work with existing networks, develop and expand new ones, document lessons learnt, disseminate information, promote learning, and foster exchange programmes. The goal of ILN in Asia is thus to bring together development practitioners including UNDP Practice Networks, academic and training institutions, stakeholders, and information service providers, towards more effective and meaningful sharing of information, knowledge and experiences to contribute to the attainment of the MDGs.

Specifically, the objectives of ILN Asia are:

• Promote sharing of knowledge and expertise through strengthened coordination of, and communication among, regional capacity development programmes and activities within UNDP and among its partners;
• Identify, develop and promote strategic capacity building initiatives, especially internet-based learning programs, at the regional, national and/or local levels to facilitate achievement of the MDGs; and
• Identify and strengthen key partner institutions at the regional and national levels that could serve as “learning facilitators” on various focal themes in the region.