The council's inauguration was attended by representatives from Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and other Pacific Forum nations with exception of the United States.

[3] During an emergency session the council drafted a national manifesto and symbols including the Morning Star flag for a new national identity to be known as "West Papua".

[4] Following the August 1962 New York Agreement between the governments of the Netherlands and Indonesia, the administration of Western New Guinea was assumed by the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) on 1 October 1962.

The New Guinea Council was reconvened by United Nations administrator on 4 December 1962 and members took new oaths of office, swearing allegiance to UNTEA.

Frits Sollewijn Gelpke was Council Chairman and Nicolaas Jouwe was Vice-Chair.