ICMA plays a special role in ethics education and enforcement for local government. ICMA adopted its first code of ethics in 1924. Since then, a principle-based management philosophy has become an integral part of ICMA membership identity. New members sign a statement confirming that they have read, and agree to abide by, the ICMA Code of Ethics. ICMA consistently and vigorously enforces this code through peer review.

The ICMA model of member code of ethics implementation and enforcement has been adapted by other associations and is gaining increasing worldwide attention from local governments and the organizations that represent them. ICMA’s work in ethics has included the following:

• Helping the Mexican Association of Municipalities host a “Transparency and Code of Ethics” workshop
• Publishing a Spanish-language version of the ICMA Code of Ethics. 
• Designing an Ethics Reference Guide for local government associations in developing and transitional countries
• Helping the Slovak City Managers Association adopt a code of ethics
• Providing a municipal association in El Salvador with model ethics manuals and other documents translated into Spanish.