This was the first time in its history that the United Nations assumed direct administrative responsibility for a territory (as opposed to monitoring or supervising).

The United Nations would go on to undertake similar missions in Cambodia (UNTAC), Croatia (UNTAES), Kosovo (UNMIK) and East Timor (UNTAET).

"[4] The Netherlands refused to directly transfer the colony to Indonesia and, with Operation Trikora underway, requested the UN dictate self-determination rights in 1962.

[5] On 15 August, Indonesia and The Netherlands signed the New York Agreement, which promulgated a transfer via a temporary United Nations administration.

The New Guinea Council, first elected in January 1961, was reconvened by the administrator on 4 December 1962 and members took new oaths of office, swearing allegiance to UNTEA.

[14] At the time packets of all stamps were sold at UN Headquarters by the United Nations Postal Administration and they remain readily available on the retail market.