The Royal Society submitted its reponse to the Department for International Development White Paper on Eliminating World Poverty consultation in April 2006. The submission echoes many of the messages the Royal Society has relayed to DFID concerning the essential role of science, engineering, technology and innovation (SET&I) in poverty alleviation, sustainable development and economic growth. SET&I are crucial cross-cutting themes in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Royal Society highlights the need for DFID to ensure that this is reflected in its White Paper on poverty.