President of Asocolflores, Augusto Solano, Receives Colombia’s Highest Distinction in the Floriculture Sector
October 9, 2025 | 2 min to read
In Bogotá, strongAugusto Solanostrong received the Edgar Wells Extraordinary Order of Merit for Floriculture for over two decades of visionary leadership at strongAsocolfloresstrong, advancing sustainability, competitiveness, and global positioning of Colombian flowers. His initiatives—like Plan Pétalo, strongFlorverde Sustainable Flowersstrong, Floreciendo Juntos, and Cultivating Peace in the Family—boosted logistics, gender equity, and rural well-being, while international roles and recognitions cemented his influence on the global floriculture stage.
Bogotá — On October 2, Augusto Solano, president of the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores), received the Edgar Wells Extraordinary Order of Merit for Floriculture, the highest distinction awarded by the Colombian floriculture export industry. The recognition commends his valuable contributions to the development, sustainability, and global positioning of the sector.
For more than two decades, Solano has led Asocolflores with vision, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the competitiveness and social impact of national floriculture. His tenure has been instrumental in consolidating sustainable practices, opening new international markets, and maintaining the prestige of Colombian Flowers as a symbol of quality and excellence worldwide.
Under his leadership, Asocolflores has promoted collaboration between the private sector and public entities, building strategic bridges with governments, associations, and international organizations. Initiatives such as Plan Pétalo, recognized by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), are examples of how collaboration and dialogue become drivers for advancing logistics, infrastructure, and security in agricultural exports.
Convinced that floriculture transcends the economic and is projected as a force for human and environmental well-being, Dr. Solano has strengthened programs such as Florverde Sustainable Flowers, Floreciendo Juntos, the School for Supervisors, and Cultivating Peace in the Family. These initiatives have raised international standards in sustainability, gender equity, and workplace well-being, improving the quality of life for thousands of rural workers and their families.
His leadership has also had an international impact. As former president of Union Fleurs, a member of the boards of directors of global organizations, and a recent inductee into the Society of American Florists (SAF) Hall of Fame, Augusto Solano has established himself as one of the most influential voices in global floriculture.
The Edgar Wells Award, created by Asocolflores in honor of the man who made the first export of Colombian flowers to the United States in 1965, recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement and international recognition of the country’s floriculture industry. Over the years, this distinction has been awarded to prominent national figures, including two former Colombian presidents who promoted the expansion of the sector and a former Minister of Agriculture who led international campaigns that positioned Colombian flowers in markets such as Sweden, Korea, and Hungary. Visionary entrepreneurs whose work has shaped the history of floriculture in Colombia have also received it.
Since its founding in 1973, Asocolflores represents more than 80% of the country’s flower exporters and leads initiatives focused on innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness. Thanks to its work, Colombian floriculture generates more than 240,000 formal jobs, consolidating itself as a driver of development and well-being for rural communities, and bringing the beauty and prosperity that spring from our lands to the world.