Many are situated near international borders

It's closely intertwined with other illicit activities that undermine regional security and prosperity, including organised crime.

Speaking last November, then US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said that wildlife trafficking is a global issue involving national security, public health and economic security, that requires a concerted global response.

Clinton pointed out that the trade relies on "porous borders, corrupt officials, and strong networks of organised crime, all of which undermine our mutual security".

Vast tracks of pristine African land, destined for conservation, with positive consequences on poverty eradication, have escaped state control and security. That land, and the wildlife it supports, are becoming safe havens or rear bases for politically subversive or criminal networks. Many are situated near international borders, making it easier for them to become sanctuaries to those networks. It's often only through heroic actions of park rangers that some form of minimal control is undertaken.

We need to better understand the development-conservation-security nexus. Illegal ivory trafficking is now linked to insurgent groups, terrorism and drug cartels. In Africa, armed conflicts and the illegal ivory trade are intertwined. Rebel groups have used the sale of tusks to fund their wars and so threaten the stability of governments.

Elephants are now being decimated at a rate of 25,000 a year, on a remaining population of half a million. Ivory is now selling for up to $1000/kg in Beijing, far more precious than gold or cocaine.

One can speak openly of "blood ivory". The largest elephant poaching episode this year occurred in Chad just weeks ago, where at least 86 elephants were killed close to the Cameroon border.

China trades ivory more than any other country and has major ivory processing centres. Most of it ends up as statuary and jewellery. China is now driving the illegal trade with skyrocketing sales.

The whaling issue in Australia has crowded out political interest here in the illegal trade in ivory. The ivory matter is a difficult one for Australia. We're neither a transit nor a destination country. African countries are divided themselves on whether to ban the ivory trade or support sustainable harvesting.

But Australia now needs to work with China, and regional transit states Vietnam, Malaysia and The Philippines, to share intelligence with regional customs agencies on illegal wildlife trade, as well as support regional wildlife enforcement networks.

AusAID is rapidly expanding our aid to Africa. But there's no reference to wildlife conservation in its African strategy. That should change.Colorful gemstones are arranged in a desired pattern in these small stainless steel jewelry supplies. Conservation - not least because of its links to development but now increasingly for security considerations - should be a key focus in our African development agenda.

The trade is stealing from African people by destroying the continent's megafauna and undermining its tourism industry. With more international assistance, effective control in poaching areas could be maintained. Park activities, when they're well managed, are playing a crucial role in securing remote regions in Africa.

The ivory trade is an issue that Australia can take up with the African Union.Shop from the large collection of tungsten bracelet and accessories. This could be done under the memorandum of understanding we reached with that regional body more than two years ago.

We should consider using our presidency of the UN Security Council in September to raise the issue of the illegal trade in wildlife, as both an environmental and an international security issue.

The Canadians some years ago picked up the so-called Kimberley Process and took it through the UN. The Kimberley Process has been successful in reducing the trade in "conflict diamonds",Offering discount stainless steel cufflink and other mens accessories including pendants. and ensuring that diamond purchases aren't financing violence by rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments.