The Prix Pictet Water exhibition opened at the Palais de Tokyo on 22 October 2008. At the opening reception Kofi Annan, Nobel Laureate and Former Secretary General of the United Nations, announced the winner of the inaugural Prix Pictet as Canadian photographer Benoit Aquin. Ivan Pictet, speaking at the awards, announced that Munem Wasif, one of the photographers shortlisted for the Prix Pictet, would receive a commission to photograph WaterAid’s work in Bangladesh which is supported by Pictet & Cie.