Prince William spoke before a conference at World Bank Washington DC headquarters today over wildlife issues and promised to create a task force that will monitor and stop illegal wildlife trade.

In an impassioned speech delivered before the World Bank Group's International Corruption Hunters Alliance, Prince William zeroed in on the illegal trade of ivory and other endangered animal parts by many countries and told the audience that "those who look the other way" and spend the money from these illicit trades will be held accountable.

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Trade of ivory and rhino horns is legal in China and the market is reportedly growing. Reports said half of the 40,000 elephants killed are exported to China.

Ivory trade in China is so sought after because it is believed to purge the body of toxins.

Prince William, in his speech, reminded countries engaging in this trade about the repercussions of their actions  saying, " together they loot our planet to feed mankind's ignorant craving for pets, trinkets, cures, and ornaments derived from the world's vanishing and irreplaceable species."

William said  that the price of ivory has soared from 5 pounds to 2,100  pounds a kilogram in China where ivory and rhino horns trade is legal.

The Duke of  Cambridge is on a three-day tour in the United States and his outspoken speech is believed to have ruffled feathers in the Far East countries including China.

William is set to go on a week-long tour to China and Japan early next year. Political observers said this tour is the highest profile solo tour to be undertaken by the Prince so far amid his fledgling royal career.

William has been known to hold wildlife issues close to his heart and speaks up  about it. In the conference, he stressed the wildlife crimes' negative effect on children and mentioned a litany of wildlife preservation reasons  as essential part in  the progress of the world

"It is wrong that children growing up in countries vulnerable to wildlife crime are losing their birthright in order to fuel the greed of international criminals and that those children will face greater hardship and insecurity as this crime traps them in poverty," he said.

Tagstrafficking, task force