First, we must produce more with less – more food, fiber and feed with less water. This means implementing integrated water resource management approaches and innovative solutions. Transformative change requires putting water-responsive approach at the heart of agrifood systems, such as wastewater reuse for agriculture, drought-resilient crops, smart and enhanced irrigation systems, as well as emerging water-saving methods and technologies. Success requires strong political will, cross-sectoral coordination and policy coherence at all levels. Second, we need robust information and data to guide informed decisions on how much water is available, how it is used and where it is needed most – for the agrifood sector and beyond. In a world with increasing competition for water, agriculture is more vulnerable and disadvantaged in the water allocation decision process. Water accounting and assessment, equitable allocation and planning, and national water strategies and roadmaps are essential to ensure sustainable water allocation across sectors and at sub-national level. Third, international cooperation in innovation and technology must drive change. Advanced technologies – artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT) – offer unprecedented potential. For instance, AI can tailor water use based on crop needs and environmental conditions, greatly improving efficiencies and effectiveness in water use – producing more with less. However, this potential can only be fully realized through global partnerships, capacity building, knowledge and technology sharing, and concrete investment.