Dear Abel Prize Laureate,

ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the Norwegian Government, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to the Norwegian government’s banquet in honour of the 2026 Abel Prize Laureate, Professor Gerd Faltings.

First: According to Norwegian protocol I invite you to join me in a toast to the King of Norway and to the heads of state here represented.

You may answer “to the King” and “To the Heads of State”. I ask you to please rise for the toasts.

May I propose a toast to the King of Norway.

To the King!

May I propose a toast to the Heads of State of Germany and all the Nations here represented

To the Heads of State!

Now, let me start by congratulating professor Gerd Faltings on receiving the Abel Prize!

Professor Faltings is a leading figure in arithmetic geometry and an architect of modern mathematics. Your work has enabled scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity, just like the work of Niels Henrik Abel did.

Mathematics is an essential building block in all fields of science, for technology and is crucial for   our understanding of the world.

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Today, we face major global societal challenges. Global insecurity, climate change, energy transition, and demographic changes demand more from us. To meet these challenges with resilience, we need excellent basic research. And we need more pupils and students to develop mathematical competence. To strengthen science and mathematics in Norway, we have embarked on a new national strategy for science and technology education in Norway.

We must recruit more young people to mathematics and the natural sciences. We need to ensure that more children, from an early age, can experience the joy of solving mathematical puzzles, experience science in practice and be part of the solutions to great tasks that we are facing.

We know it all starts with curiosity. And it continues with perseverance. With the ability to keep trying. The most important factors in awakening this curiosity and motivating the learning process are strong role models, like Faltings and Abel, and of course: dedicated teachers. Teachers that awaken curiosity and encourage patience and perseverance to keep trying. Niels Henrik Abel’s story is an excellent example of the importance of a good teacher.

In school, the young Abel was considered an average student, until his teacher Bernt Michael Holmboe discovered his exceptional talent. To recognize the importance of Holmboe, and the work of all great math-teachers’, the Holmboe Prize will be awarded Thursday for outstanding efforts in the teaching of mathematics.

I am pleased to tell you that we have this year’s Holmboe prize recipient, Dag Ivar Furevikstrand, here with us tonight - please stand up.

He is a mathematics teacher at Dale vidaregåande skule in Sunnfjord, where every day, he motivates young students to explore the beauty of mathematics.

I would also like to ask this year’s winners of the annual Abel mathematics competition for pupils in high schoolso please stand up. You are Norwegian champions in mathematics, and we have some of your present here tonight;

  • Skomantas Urbonas
  • Ivar Lee Fevang
  • Daniel Mineev
  • Trygve Torkildsen Hellebø
  • Victoria Lund Søraas

I know that some of you will be part of the team representing Norway in the International Mathematical Olympiad later this summer in China! Your achievements are impressive, and I wish you the best of luck!

Finally, I would like the winning team of the middle school competition UngeAbel (Young Abel) from Samfundets skole in Agder to please stand up together with your teacher. Congratulations and keep up your good work!

Now I hope you will join me in a toast to this year’s Abel Prize Laureate –

Professor Gerd Faltings. SKÅL!