Cétamada, a Malagasy organization dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals, marine wildlife, and their habitats in Madagascar, established the HWWC in 2015 during the inaugural Whale Festival on Sainte Marie Island. The initiative aimed to unite stakeholders involved in the conservation of humpback whales—an iconic species and a key umbrella species for ocean ecosystems. The HWWC provides an inclusive and respectful platform fostering strong professional connections among researchers, experts, practitioners, public officials, policymakers, artists, and students.
The congress takes place in regions frequented annually by humpback whales, either as feeding or breeding grounds, and is consistently scheduled during the humpback whale season.

Since its inception, the Humpback Whale World Congress has brought together experts, researchers, and conservationists from around the globe to advance the understanding and protection of humpback whales and their habitats.

The first Congress was held in 2015 on the beautiful island of Sainte Marie, Madagascar, marking the beginning of a tradition dedicated to marine conservation and collaboration. Since then, the Congress has traveled across the world!