European Council President Donald Tusk addresses the General Debate of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 27, 2018. (Xinhua/Qin Lang)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk said Thursday that the European Union is fighting to preserve the rules-based international order, which, he said, is under great strain in terms of trade, security, climate change or human rights.

"We say this not only as countries strongly supporting the United Nations, but as a continent that cares deeply about respect, mutual understanding and solidarity between nations," Tusk told the UN General Assembly.

"As leaders, we must equip the United Nations with the means to fulfil its mandate successfully. More unity and collective action are needed in the struggle against conflict, poverty and famine, terrorism and mass displacement of people, of the kind we see in Venezuela, Syria, Myanmar and many other places."

To that end, the European Union firmly supports the current effort to reform the United Nations, he said. "These reforms are badly needed and overdue. The urgency is clear and implementation is essential."