Stockholm - Sweden on Monday urged better "quality control" of multilateral aid channeled through the United Nations and other agencies.

Despite being a generous international donor of aid, the centre- right government in Stockholm warned that tighter controls were needed - and even hinted of possible funding cuts if improvement were not made.

International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson unveiled a new strategy saying there was need for "better linkage" between Sweden's bilateral aid and funds given via multilateral agencies and regional development banks.

"Multilateral cooperation used correctly, is a fantastic means to achieve great results," Carlsson said, but noted that Sweden had not previously properly reviewed how multilateral agencies it supported were performing.

As part of the strategy the Swedish government has reviewed some 20 multilateral agencies it funds. Overall reviews were good for the UN refugee agency UNHCR, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Bank.

But other agencies such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and the joint UN programme, UNAIDS, scored less favourably.

Carlsson said Sweden welcomed and supported reforms being conducted at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Funding cuts could not be ruled out in the long-term "if we feel that our requirements are not met," the minister said.

"The aim is to give knowledge for a better dialogue with these agencies which are relevant and needed," Carlsson added.

Sweden's priority areas included poverty reduction as well as strengthening democracy and human rights, gender equality, and climate change, Carlsson said.

Multilateral aid accounts for about half of Sweden's aid budget, which totals almost 34 billion kronor (3.69 billion dollars).

Last year the centre-right government - which took office in October 2006 - said it would halve the number of countries - from 70 to 33 - that receive bilateral aid, focusing much of its bilateral aid to Africa. (dpa)