The United Nations Centre for Regional Development serves as a training centre for mid-career government officials and administrators in charge of regional development planning in their respective countries for the purpose of enhancing the regional development capability of developing countries. It also undertakes research and develops teaching materials on topics covering issues being faced by developing countries in their regional development efforts and provides advisory services upon request from organizations including governmental agencies, NGOs, and universities engaged in regional development planning. The Centre has established a network for information exchange so that developing countries can have access to information relating to regional development planning.