Within a context of increasing water shortage in parts of the region and in view of the uncertainties brought about by climate change, it is even more pressing to adapt water management policies, to better manage the different water uses and to ensure a more efficient and effective use of resources, if present and future needs of populations, hydro-systems and development are to be satisfied. Potential water savings have been estimated at almost a quarter of the total water demand by 2025 (Plan Bleu, 2005). As the leading sector for blue water consumption, irrigated agriculture is a crucial area for freeing up significant amounts of water. But efforts have to be made to improve the water productivity of rainfed agriculture. The objective of this session is to share "solutions" aiming at improving water use efficiency in the various using sectors, as well as water allocation between the different uses. These "solutions" rely on a combination of different WDM instruments and highlight the necessity of mainstreaming economics into WDM policies.