Not when exact wording matters. A secondary summary can explain the purpose and terminology basis of UN M49, but readers who need the precise name, definition, or wording should consult the UN Statistics Division's page rather than treat a paraphrase as a substitute.
What the official source establishes
The UN Statistics Division states: “M49 is prepared by the Statistics Division of the United Nations Secretariat primarily for use in its publications and databases.” It also states: “These names are based on the United Nations Terminology Database (UNTERM).”
These statements identify the system's stated purpose and the basis for its names. A secondary summary can accurately convey both points, but it may compress or alter the original wording. It should therefore be treated as an explanation, not as the final text for exact quotation or close interpretation.
How to check a summary
When checking a secondary summary, compare it with the official page itself:
- Does it preserve the stated purpose—use in the UN Statistics Division's publications and databases?
- Does it identify the United Nations Terminology Database (UNTERM) as the basis for the names?
- Does it distinguish a paraphrase from a verbatim statement?
- Does it direct readers to the original source when exact wording is needed?
A summary can provide a useful starting point, but the source page is the place to verify the precise formulation.
What the reader must still confirm
Readers should open the official page before reproducing an exact label, presenting a definition as the source's wording, or applying the terminology to a specific document or question. The two points above do not establish when a particular summary is sufficient for every use, so readers must confirm the wording and context themselves.