The BIISS is a semi-governmental institute, founded in 1978, and undertakes, encourages and promotes independent research to advance objective understanding of all aspects of international relations and strategic studies.
The Institute also carries out policy research on how developing nations like Bangladesh may survive and maneuver in the complex international system and strengthen regional and international co-operation.
The Institute provides facilities for independent research in the political and socio-economic fields. The Institute is designed as a center for documentation on international relations, and seeks to maintain active contacts with similar institutes at home and abroad. It contributes independent input and gives its viewpoints on relevant matters as required by the government.
BIISS’s major research areas include: foreign policy, security and strategic issues with specific relevance to Bangladesh; regional, inter-regional and international cooperation; politics, development and interstate relations in South Asia; environment, resources and sustainable development; conflict studies; peacekeeping, security of small states, disarmament, non-proliferation, global peace, North-South and South-South issues; and political and strategic developments in various regions of the world.