Elton John tells lawmakers they have the power to end AIDS by 2030

Musician Elton John recently has challenged Britain to be the first country in the world to fully eradicate HIV – and to do it by 2030.

John recently addressed Parliament while being honored for his work in fighting HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation. “Whoever wins the next general election can help us end AIDS worldwide by 2030, starting right here at home,” he said, praising the fact that new HIV diagnoses in the country are down 46% from their 2015 peak.

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“We can be the first country in the world to defeat this awful virus. Let’s do it… I want to be back here in 2030 with all of you here and say, ‘You did it, we did it.’ Great Britain led the way in ending this disease.”

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He emphasized that whoever wins the next general election must commit to ending this epidemic. “I implore you not to waste your allotted time as political leaders,” he told the lawmakers. “Take action and push things a little further than might feel comfortable. And as you do, I can promise you this: I will be there with you.”

John also praised the government’s decision to extend a pilot program that tests anyone visiting emergency rooms for HIV, as well as Hepatitis B and C. The program has been critical in the early detection of cases.

The iconic rockstar launched his AIDS foundation in 1992 and has since raised millions of dollars for the cause. This year, the organization launched the Rocket Fund with the goal of raising $125 million to fight growing rates of HIV infections in vulnerable communities.

“For years, HIV/AIDS has caused enormous pain across the world, but I pray that soon this epidemic will be a thing of the past,” John said in a statement. “More than 30 years after I launched the Elton John AIDS Foundation, my passion for reaching everyone, everywhere, with education and compassionate care is still as strong as ever. The Rocket Fund will turbo-charge our mission and reach those most at risk from this terrible disease.”