The main objective of this review is to examine a number of area-based planning tools and identify key features that enable them to be used for cross-sectoral area-based planning in support of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in ABNJ. The tools examined will include those that already exist within national jurisdiction and those only occurring in ABNJ. Ultimately, the review is seeking to provide an indication as to how area-based planning tools can support— or are already supporting— cross-sectoral planning. The results of this review will be used to guide the development of a dedicated area-based planning methodology to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable use objectives in marine ABNJ. This review is undertaken as part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project entitled ‘Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation of Deep Sea Living Resources and Ecosystems in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)’. Component 4 of this project aims to identify and test area-based planning methodologies in two pilot regions, the South East Pacific and Western Indian Ocean regions.