The global burden of earthquake hazards has intensified over the decades, particularly in developing countries withinadequate safety measures. Despite two centuries of progress in earthquake science, including mapping fault systems andestablishing seismic building codes, many high-risk nations have failed to implement these regulations effectively. Thispaper advocates for a paradigm shift in addressing earthquake hazards by proposing a dedicated UN forum to enhanceglobal mitigation efforts. Simultaneously, it calls for developing comprehensive nationwide preparedness frameworks aimedat reducing vulnerability and saving lives. The global burden of earthquake hazards, which have increasingly turned into disasters, has grown over the decades,particularly in countries with inadequate earthquake safety measures. This risk is especially pronounced in much of thedeveloping world. For over two centuries, advances in earthquake science have led to mapping fault systems and establishingseismic building codes, warning systems, and other protective measures. However, in many high-risk countries—such asPakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Haiti, and Morocco—these regulations remain under-implementeddespite the known dangers. Recent disasters, such as the 2023 earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, which claimed more than50,000 lives, and the moderate but deadly earthquake in Morocco that killed over 2,000, underscore the urgent need for amore robust response. Both well-mapped and lesser-known fault systems continue to pose significant threats, especially in theGlobal South, where the impacts of such disasters disproportionately affect millions of people.This paper argues for a paradigm shift in addressing earthquake hazards, drawing inspiration from the climate change discourseat the United Nations. Establishing a dedicated UN forum for earthquake hazards could catalyze global efforts to enhancemitigation and adaptation strategies, paving the way for a safer future. Additionally, the development of comprehensive,nationwide earthquake preparedness frameworks is critical. Addressing long-standing gaps in mitigation and adaptation couldsignificantly improve countries' vulnerability profiles and save countless lives.