All sessions of the Annual Conference as well as the side events scheduled will take place at the Center for Internal Peace and Stability (CIPS) located inside the National University of Science & Technology (NUST) at H-12 Sector, Islamabad. CIPS was established on 1st March, 2013, and officially inaugurated by United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Ban Ki-moon on 13th August, 2013. It is a unique institution; one of its kind, established with the purpose of conducting training and research in all matters related to UN Peacekeeping Operations, peacebuilding and conflict resolution. CIPS functions on a hybrid model, performing as a nonpartisan think-tank cum academic institution. It is affiliated with the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (NIPCONS) at Islamabad. CIPS houses three departments which are currently working to meaningfully contribute to the academia and research; Peacekeeping Training Department, Research and Analysis Cell and the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.