President Obama to hold jobs summit

President Barack Obama is scheduled to convene a jobs summit next month, according to a number of reliable news reports.

The president announced his intention to hold "A Forum on Jobs" this morning after unemployment numbers last month reached their highest level in over 26 years. The White House will invite investors, CEOs, small-business owners, academics and nonprofit officials, as well as labor and financial figures to the event.

"We all know that there are limits to what government can and should do, even during such difficult times," Obama said during brief remarks in the Diplomatic Room at 9:43 a.m. "But we have an obligation to consider every additional, responsible step that we can [take] to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country." And that’s why, in December, we’ll be holding a forum at the White House on jobs and economic growth.

Obama made the announcement before departing on a trip to Asia.

"It's just as important that we are open to any demonstrably good idea to supplement the steps we’ve already taken to put America back to work. That’s what this forum is about," the president added.