This publication presents an overview of the Asia-Pacific Regional Planning Meeting on the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE). Countries in Asia and the Pacific that participate in the LIFE initiative are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. The purpose of the meeting was to assist the participating countries with the organization of preparatory activities for implementing the LIFE initiative following creation of Country Profiles in 2005. This publication includes comments presented during question and answer sessions, plenary discussions and group discussions. The agenda items of the meeting are (1) Global Background and Development of LIFE; (2) Literacy Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Region; (3) Presentations and Discussion in Plenary of Bangladesh and Pakistan Country Papers; (4) Proposed Framework of Support Mechanism for LIFE Implementation; (5) Proposed Guidelines of LIFE Needs Assessment; (6) Country Group Work on Preparation of Draft Country Outlines/Frameworks for Needs Assessment; (7) Panel Presentations and Discussion on Addressing Literacy Needs of Excluded Groups; and (8) Presentation of Draft Country Outlines/Frameworks for Needs Assessments, LIFE Country Plans and Discussion on Follow-up. [Published by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education.]