[1][2] Before it closed in 2012, the institute was active in the field of cultural promotion aimed at fostering fruitful relations between Italy and the African and Asian countries.
The aims of the Institute were: to establish and implement study and research projects; to promote cultural and scientific collaboration initiatives through the exchange of information, 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 of the Asian countries and to carry out missions and archaeological campaigns in these countries; to carry on publishing activities alone or in collaboration with other institutions, or with publishers; to enter into conventions or agreements providing for joint activities with universities, academies, cultural and research institutions in Italy and abroad.
Approximately twelve thousand derive from Giuseppe Tucci’s expeditions in the Himalayan region, including unique photographs of Tibetan monuments that no longer exist.
Starting in the 1950s, IsIAO published more than 500 titles including monographs, critical editions of manuscripts written in oriental languages, excavation reports, conference proceedings and reviews.
Countries in which IsIAO was active included Afghanistan, People's Republic of China, Georgia, Japan, Jordan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mali, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen.