On December 7, 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 75/27, declaring December 27 of each year the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. The observance was established in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which starkly exposed major gaps in global health systems' readiness to face epidemics, and the first observance was held that same year, less than three weeks after the resolution was adopted. The day calls for strengthening the prevention, preparedness, and effective response to epidemics at the local, regional, and global levels, and encourages countries to share knowledge, expertise, and resources to reduce the risk of future infectious disease outbreaks and limit their devastating health, economic, and social impacts, as the world witnessed during COVID-19. Scientific conferences and talks on strengthening disease surveillance and early-warning systems, awareness campaigns on the importance of vaccination and hygiene, and initiatives assessing countries' readiness for future epidemics are held to mark the day around the world.