Washington - US President Barack Obama pledged Thursday to do more to halt the continuing rise in unemployment, proposing a "jobs forum" of business leaders and economists in December.

The US unemployment rate climbed to 10.2 per cent in October, the worst in 26 years and surprising economists. Obama leaves later Thursday on his first trip to Asia as president, where the sluggish state of the economy will be a top concern.

"The economic growth that we've seen has not yet led to the job growth that we desperately need," Obama said in a brief speech from the White House. "We have an obligation to consider every additional, responsible step we can."

Obama said he would hold a jobs forum at the White House in December. (dpa)