Bono: AIDS-Free Planet Within Reach

On the 25th anniversary of World AIDS Day, rocker Bono, of the band U2, appeared Sunday on ABC's "This Week" to reflect on advances made in the prevention and treatment of a disease that has killed upwards of 34 million people worldwide.

"The American people have said that this fight against HIV / AIDS… they've got it in their sites," Bono said. "They want to see it done, and that is so inspiring to me."

The Irishman has championed the cause since its beginnings and raised $26 million last week during a Sotheby's auction benefiting The Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Bono remembered initially disagreeing with President George W. Bush during the 2003 passage of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Bono thought the mostly Democrat-supported Global Fund would be hindered by the mostly Republican-supported PEPFAR.

"This is what happens when people put their ego and political point-scoring away for a bigger purpose, and they stop playing politics," said Bono, whose goal is to have an AIDS-free planet by 2016. "We could lose that if we lose the political will."