The purpose of UNCI was to continue the duties of the previous commission, while at the same time overseeing the handover of the Indonesian territory to the republican government and reporting regularly to the United Nations Security Council.

The Dutch viewed the Indonesian Republican leadership on Java as Japanese collaborators, and wanted to regain control of their colony.

[5] The United Nations security Council's Committee of Good Offices on the Indonesian question was established, pursuant to a resolution of the Security Council of 25 August 1947, to assist in the pacific settlement of the dispute between the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia, at an informal meeting of the Committee convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations at Lake Success, New York on 8 October 1947.

The Committee held three official meetings in Sydney and decided, after the receipt of invitations from the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia, to proceed to Java as quick transportation arrangements could be completed in order to acquaint itself with the situation on the spot and meet with the parties as an essential preliminary to the commencement of its duties.

Soon after its arrival in Java, the Committee found it necessary to state to the parties its view on its responsibilities under the terms of the resolution of the Security Council on the Indonesian Question and its procedure for assisting the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia in the pacific settlement of the dispute.