The MenStar Coalition's first project will begin in Africa next year.

• Jul 25, 2018

AceShowbiz - Elton John and Prince Harry have teamed up to launch a new AIDS initiative targeted at young men.

The rock veteran, who performed at the British royal's wedding reception in May, joined him at the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam in The Netherlands on Tuesday, July 24, to announce the MenStar Coalition, a partnership between Elton's own AIDS Foundation, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other charities.

Addressing delegates, the Crocodile Rock singer explained that testing for the HIV virus, a precursor for AIDS, is at "unacceptably" low rates in young men and that infections are on the rise.

"Too often and for good reason, men have been seen as the problem in the fight against AIDS, so in response, we have done so much to safeguard women and girls," Elton said. "But we can't solve the whole problem if we are only addressing half the situation.

Honoured to launch @menstar with Prince Harry today alongside @ejaf and our loyal partners, in a coalition to engage with men to break the HIV cycle. They are part of the solution and a vital key in this fight to end AIDS once and for all. #AIDS2018 #princeharry #amsterdam @pepfar @unitaid @globalfund @ciffchild @jnjglobalhealth @gileadsciences (Photo: @mkovac / @gettyimages)

A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Jul 24, 2018 at 9:48am PDT

"If we want to end AIDS once and for all, we must make men part of the solution. It is time there was a global coalition to teach men to protect themselves, and in doing so it will teach them to better protect not only their wives and girlfriends, their sisters and daughters, but also critically their brothers and sons."

“We stand here at a moment when the progress we have fought so hard for is at risk from a dangerous complacency. Too many around the world are still ignoring the damaging knock-on effect on education and other community services from not prioritising HIV prevention and treatment. This is a time when new, energetic and innovative solutions are needed more than ever before – and that is exactly what you are about to see from Elton and the @Menstar Coalition partners.” – The Duke of Sussex, Sir Elton John and Ndaba Mandela launched the Men Star coalition, which will leverage over $1billion in funding to expand the diagnoses and treatment of HIV infections in men – key to breaking the cycle of HIV #AIDS2018

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Jul 24, 2018 at 3:30am PDT

The MenStar Coalition's first project will begin in Africa next year and will encourage men across the continent to test themselves to check if they have the virus.

Introducing Elton, Harry praised the rocker-turned-philanthropist and stated that he had worked "tirelessly" over the years to help fund research into and treatment for HIV and AIDS.

The 71-year-old musician and PEPFAR chiefs also renewed their commitment to fund programmes combatting AIDS in the lesbian, bi, gay and transgender (LGBT) community in Africa.

Charlize Theron, who founded her own youth-focused AIDS charity in 2007, is also attending the conference.