The OECD's work on public sector ethics contributes to the global battle against corruption by addressing the "demand" side of the equation. This approach recognizes corruption as not simply an individual criminal action but rather the result of a systemic failure and management problem reflected in weak public institutions. Underlying the OECD's contribution is the conviction that the state's role in preventing corruption is as complex as the phenomenon of corruption itself and that a combination of interrelated mechanisms--including a system for managing ethics, specific prevention techniques and effective law enforcement--is needed for success. The paper discusses strengthening weak public institutions, forging the ethics infrastructure, OECD recommendations on improving ethical conduct, principles for managing ethics in the public sector, curbing cross-border bribery and money laundering, supporting good governance in transition countries, promoting integrity in the developing world and the future direction of OECD work on public sector ethics. Notes, references, appendix