In major parts of the world, irrigation development has reached its limits in terms of land and water resources, as evident in the alarming overexploitation of groundwater resources and the deterioration of their quality. In other parts, intensification with sustainable and smart irrigation solutions is the most viable way to build climate resilience and combat food insecurity. This report advocates for 1) improving the quality of irrigation services through a combination of better design, adoption of modern technologies, and attuned operation and maintenance and 2) a bold risk-taking approach to irrigation modernization and sustainable expansion based on lessons learned by restoring legitimacy through strong technical, institutional, and economic engagement in reforming the subsector.