The Prix Pictet is a major new global prize in photography that focuses on perhaps the greatest single issue of the twenty-first century: Sustainability.

Sponsored by Pictet & Cie and in association with the Financial Times, a single annual prize of CHF 100,000 will be awarded to photographers whose work communicates stories of urgent global significance.

There has been much talk about climate change, but not much about where we will see its first impact - and the vector of climate change, water has been set as this year's theme.

Entry to the competition is by nomination only, and a global nominations panel of 49 leading experts in the visual arts, from six continents, have made over 200 nominations from 43 countries that will lead to the image or set of images that have the power and artistic quality demanded by the Prix.

The judges have already shortlisted 18 photographers whose works will be exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo from 30 October - 8 November 2008. We say keep checking out their website for more info and an online gallery of works in the running.