It has been close to a year since the outbreak and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. No country has been spared from the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenge to manage and contain it is ongoing. Yet during this period, we have witnessed the remarkable pace and progress in science and medicine that lead toward understanding the pathogen and the disease it causes, to better manage it now, and to develop therapeutics and vaccines that will bring a resolution to the pandemic. Global dialogue and cooperation will be key, as will be ensuring that rigorous and critically-evaluated information is what moves us forward. In this spirit, we are excited to present “COVID-19: Understand, Manage, Control”, a three-day conference that is a collaboration between Cell Press and the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Committee. This conference is aimed to be a high-level discussion of the important topics and themes on COVID-19, including epidemiology, virology, immunology, testing, therapeutics and public health actions. We will hear from the leading voices and experts from around the world on what we currently know and what future directions will shape the roadmap towards ending the pandemic. Each day will consist of two themed sessions that include opening keynotes and then will be followed by a panel discussion among the speakers.