Augusto Solano Mejía, President of the Association of Colombian Flower Exporters (Asocolflores), received the Extraordinary Order of Merit for Floriculture Edgar Wells, the highest distinction granted by Colombia's flower export industry, in recognition of his decisive contributions to the development, sustainability, and international positioning of Colombian floriculture.
For more than two decades, Solano has led Asocolflores with vision, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the sector's competitiveness and social impact. His leadership has been essential in advancing sustainable practices, consolidating access to international markets, and ensuring that Colombian flowers continue to be recognized worldwide for their quality and excellence.
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Under his direction, Asocolflores has fostered collaboration between the private and public sectors, building strategic bridges with governments, trade associations, and international institutions. Through initiatives such as Plan Pétalo, recognized by the Inter-American Development Bank, Solano has demonstrated that partnership and dialogue are key drivers for advancing logistics, infrastructure, and security in agricultural exports.
A firm believer that floriculture is not only an economic activity but also a force for human and environmental well-being, Solano has strengthened programs such as Florverde Sustainable Flowers, Floreciendo Juntos, the Supervisors' School, and Cultivemos la Paz en Familia. These initiatives have elevated global standards for sustainability, gender equity, and labor welfare, improving the quality of life for thousands of rural workers and their families.
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His leadership and advocacy have also reached the global stage. As former President of Union Fleurs, board member of several international organizations, and recent inductee into the Society of American Florists (SAF) Hall of Fame, Solano has become one of the most influential voices in the international floriculture community.
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The Edgar Wells Award, created by Asocolflores in honor of Edgar Wells, a pioneer who carried out Colombia's first flower export to the United States in 1965, recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement and global recognition of Colombian floriculture. Over the years, this distinction has been granted to prominent national leaders, including two former Presidents of Colombia, who facilitated the expansion of the flower industry, and a former Minister of Agriculture, who led international promotion campaigns that positioned Colombian flowers in countries such as Sweden, Korea, and Hungary, contributing to the diversification of the sector's exports. Other past recipients include influential business leaders whose work has shaped the trajectory of Colombian floriculture.
For more information:
Asocolflores
https://asocolflores.org/
