Geneva  - The International Labour Organization (ILO) on Monday opened a Its Global Jobs Crisis summit as the centre point of its ongoing annual conference.

Nine heads of state and government, including Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina attended the three-day summit.

"Rapid recovery of employment and the accompanying social protection needs must be central to public policy and business decisions," ILO head Juan Somavia said in his opening remarks.

"We need to build an efficient social market economy that will prevent relapsing into the excesses and inequalities of the past," he said, pushing for cooperation and "social dialogue."

The organization has warned that global unemployment is on the rise. ILO economists believe it would likely take several years after the economy recovers for the job markets to return to pre-crisis levels.

Of particular concern was the problem of youth unemployment, especially in the developing world. The ILO has warned of possible social and political unrest if a solution is not found for the young adults out of work.

The annual ILO conference brings together government officials, trade unions and employers.

Somavia said this year's gathering, which marks the 90th anniversary of the ILO, was the largest in the organization's history.(dpa)