Zainal Abidin Bagir, a lecturer at Universitas Gajah Mada and director of the Indonesia Consortium for Religious Studies, discusses the ambiguity in advocating for freedom of religion and belief in Indonesia, which can lead to public unrest. He highlights the judicialization of religious conflicts, using legal reasons, including blasphemy issues. Renata Arianingtyas, Director of The Asia Foundation, notes that the reformation period brought about economic and political crises, as well as opportunities for regional autonomy and significant sectarian conflicts between 1999 and 2004. She points out that the state remains a primary actor in recurring social conflicts, followed by societal groups with regional and social identities. Both experts agree that advocacy efforts for religious freedom have been extensive, including dialogue and cooperation with the government, and that a variety of advocacy approaches are necessary.

The Indonesian government is preparing buffer zones for national food production outside Java to ensure food availability amidst the climate crisis. Budi Waryanto from the National Food Agency mentioned potential areas in Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua. The discussion highlighted recent food price spikes in Indonesia, influenced by climate change and geopolitical tensions. Experts emphasized the need for climate literacy among farmers, appropriate technology access, and the revival of local wisdom in planting patterns to combat climate change impacts on food production.

Approximately 70-75% of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) die due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, with global deaths from antimicrobial resistance reaching 1.27 million. Harry Parathon, Chair of the Antimicrobial Resistance Control Committee, revealed these figures during a discussion in Surabaya. He emphasized the need to correct 70-80% of antibiotic prescriptions in Indonesia, as misuse and overuse are prevalent. The World Health Organization is currently assessing the global issue of inappropriate antibiotic use. The public is advised to avoid treating antibiotics as a cure-all and to use them wisely to prevent an era where diseases are untreatable by any antibiotics.

Mountainous upstream areas in Indonesia, crucial for groundwater replenishment, face threats from land-use changes. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) notes 421 groundwater basins across Indonesia, with over 100 billion cubic meters of water. Unregulated groundwater extraction poses risks, particularly in Java's urban areas. Conservation requires understanding the source and container of groundwater, with reforestation in recharge areas and volcanic rock formations serving as natural reservoirs. Indonesia's volcanic geography and tropical climate offer abundant, high-quality groundwater resources. Stakeholders, including the public, industries, and organizations like Danone Indonesia, emphasize the importance of preserving groundwater through responsible usage and conservation efforts.

Saurlin P. Siagan of Komnas HAM visited regions in Indonesia, including Jawa Timur, to remind the Election Commission (KPU) to ensure that vulnerable groups are accommodated in the 2024 elections by registering them as voters. Nine groups were identified, including people with disabilities, detainees, domestic workers, and others. Recommendations will be made to prevent incidents like the nearly 900 election worker deaths in the 2019 elections. KPU's Nurul Amalia mentioned steps taken, such as special polling stations. Social observer Surokim Abdussalam from Universitas Trunojoyo encouraged new approaches to maximize participation, including mobile polling stations for hard-to-reach voters.

Indonesia is preparing for an energy transition to address climate change and achieve net zero emissions, especially in light of the global energy supply crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war. PT. Kilang Pertamina Internasional is advancing biodiesel production from waste cooking oil and palm oil mill effluent, aiming to double its capacity and reduce CO2 emissions. PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy is also increasing its geothermal electricity production, contributing to the renewable energy mix. An international meeting in Bali reflects Indonesia's commitment to a greener energy transition, with the government targeting net zero emissions by 2060.

Yahya Cholil Staquf, the head of Nahdlatul Ulama, urges all layers of society to strengthen national unity and brotherhood to prevent conflict arising from differences. He warns political actors against using identity differences, especially religion, as a tool for power in the 2024 elections. Haedar Nashir, the head of Muhammadiyah, warns against the dangers of intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism, which can stem from ideologies beyond religion, including regionalism. Both leaders emphasize the importance of maintaining democracy and rejecting efforts to damage Indonesia.

Efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia include addressing the spread of health-related hoaxes and encouraging behavioral changes among the public. Masyarakat Anti Fitnah Indonesia (Mafindo) in Surabaya, represented by Diana Dewi, highlighted the challenge of misinformation through various communication media. Dr. Heri Munajib emphasized the need for trusted figures like religious leaders to help educate the public. Dr. Risma Ikawaty from Universitas Surabaya (Ubaya) warned about new COVID-19 variants and stressed the importance of vaccinations and health protocols. Drg. Fitria Dewi from the East Java Provincial Health Office underscored the necessity of behavioral change communication to break the chain of transmission.

President Joko Widodo condemned the terrorist attacks in Surabaya, which resulted in at least 13 deaths and 41 hospitalizations. The suicide bombings occurred at three churches: Santa Maria Catholic Church, Indonesian Christian Church (GKI), and Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church. The President labeled the attacks as crimes against humanity unrelated to any religion and lamented the use of children in the bombings. After visiting the sites and hospitals, he ordered the National Police Chief to investigate and dismantle the terrorist networks. Police Chief Tito Karnavian identified six family members as the perpetrators, linked to the Jemaah Ansarul Daulah cell associated with ISIS. He also called for the acceleration of the Anti-Terrorism Bill's approval or the issuance of a Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) to optimize the handling of terrorism.

K.H. Said Aqil Siradj, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the world's largest Islamic organization, called for the reinforcement of secular values in Indonesia at an interfaith dialog in Surabaya. This comes after Jakarta's recent election, which saw a rise in religious tensions and the victory of Anies Baswedan, who was supported by Islamic hard-liners. Said Aqil Siradj emphasized Indonesia's founding principle of 'Unity in Diversity' and the Pancasila, which are at odds with the growing movement to implement Sharia law. Other religious and community leaders supported his stance, advocating for the preservation of Indonesia's diverse cultural and religious heritage.

Thousands of East Java government officials attended a workshop in Surabaya discussing the threats of Islamic State and other radical groups. Islamic group Muhammadiyah's chairman, Din Syamsuddin, and theologist Quraish Shihab highlighted the non-religious, radical political nature of ISIS and its tarnishing effect on Islam's peaceful image. The workshop concluded with an anti-IS declaration, urging readiness against IS threats and promoting public understanding of radical ideologies. Indonesia plans to revoke citizenship of Indonesians who joined IS, opposing the country's pluralist ideology, Pancasila.