The International Union of Oriental and Asian Studies was founded in 1951 at the International Congress of Orientalists as the International Union of Orientalists. It was renamed in 1973. It acts as a union of researchers specialized in the Orient and Asian civilizations, and supporting various activities in this field, such as the links with the congresses of Orientalists and encouraging international meetings, organization of research and publications. As the International Congress of Orientalists, currently called the International Congress of Asian and North African Studies has no permanent body or board, IUOS is responsible for continuity between Congresses, while having also an advisory role.

The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke on the 15th March 1823. It received its Royal Charter from King George IV on the 11th August 1824 'for the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia'. It continues as a forum for those who are interested in the languages, cultures and history of Asia to meet and exchange ideas.