The IUAES is a world organization of social and biological anthropological scientists and institutions working in the fields of anthropology and ethnology, but also of interest to archaeologists and linguistics specialists, among others. Its aim is to enhance exchange and communication among scholars of all regions of the world, in a collective effort to expand human knowledge. In this way it hopes to contribute to a better understanding of human society, and to a sustainable future based on harmony between nature and culture.

Through its International Congresses of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (ICAES), held every five years, it provides a world forum for the discussion and dissemination of research in these fields. It also holds Inter-Congresses, seminars and symposia, and encourages the participation of anthropologists in other international meetings and projects. Through its Commissions, the IUAES. stimulates the convergence of research interests among anthropologists, and the dissemination of research findings through publications.

The IUAES was established on 23rd August, 1948, when it was brought into one organization, de facto, with the International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (ICAES), which was itself founded in 1934. The latter was the follower of various Congresses of Anthropological Sciences, starting in 1865, the President of the Congress also serving as the President of the Union. The two organizations were united, de jure, into one, in 1968.

The Congresses held from 1934 onwards were as follows: 1934 London; 1938 Copenhagen; 1948 Brussels; 1952 Vienna; 1956 Philadelphia; 1960 Paris; 1964 Moscow; 1968 Tokyo; 1973 Chicago; 1978 Delhi; 1983 Quebec and Vancouver; 1988 Zagreb; 1993 Mexico; 1998 Williamsburg; and 2003 Florence. Inter-Congresses took place in Calcutta/Ranchi, India, 2004; Pardubice, Czech Republic, 2005; and Cape Town, South Africa 2006.

The XVIth World Congress was planned to be in Kunming, China, 2008, under the Presidency of Professor Jing Jun, but was annulled for political reasons with the notion of possible postponement.

The organization consists of a system with three bodies, the Executive Committee, the Permanent Council and the General Assembly. Besides this it also offers scientific commissions (currently 27) which each specialize in a certain direction. It has links with ECOSOC, CISPH, ISSC and ICSU.

See for an extended history inventory number 18.5.