The Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente (IsIAO) was established in 1995, as the result of the merging of Istituto Italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente (IsMEO) with the Istituto Italo-Africano (IIA). Its seat is in Rome, Italy.

The Institute is active in the field of cultural promotion aimed at fostering fruitful relations between Italy and the countries of Africa and Asia.

The aims of the Institute are: to establish and implement study and research projects; to promote cultural and scientific collaboration initiatives through the exchange of experience and knowledge among researchers and specialists; to implement cooperation, consultancy and assistance projects, with special regard to the conservation and promotion of the heritage, and to carry out missions and archaeological campaigns in Asian and African countries; to enter into conventions or agreements providing for joint activities with universities, academies, cultural and research institutions in Italy and abroad; to carry on publishing activities alone or in collaboration with other institutions, or with publishers.

IsIAO is currently active in the following countries: Afghanistan, Arabia Saudita, China, Japan, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhastan, Mali, Oman, Pakistan, Sudan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen.